Protein synthesis, degradation, and energy metabolism in T cell immunity

T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into effector and memory states involve massive remodeling of T cell size and molecular content and create a massive increase in demand for energy and amino acids. Protein synthesis is an energy- and resource-demanding process; as such, changes in T cell energy production are intrinsically linked to proteome remodeling. In this review, we discuss how protein synthesis and degradation change over the course of a T cell immune response and the crosstalk between these processes and T cell energy metabolism. We highlight how the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze T cell proteomes can improve our understanding of how these processes are regulated.

Automated summary

T cell activation and proliferation lead to significant changes in cell size and molecular content, resulting in an increased demand for energy and amino acids. Protein synthesis, a highly energy- and resource-demanding process, is closely linked to T cell energy production and proteome remodeling. The use of high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze T cell proteomes can enhance our understanding of the regulation of these processes.