Protein Maturation: Post-Translational Modifications

This lecture discusses the maturation process of proteins, emphasizing the importance of post-translational modifications. After translation, proteins undergo various chemical modifications that are crucial for their functionality. These modifications can occur in parallel with the folding process and include proteolytic cleavage, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation. Glycosylation involves the addition of sugar chains, which significantly impacts protein folding and function. Ubiquitination serves as a signal for protein degradation, while phosphorylation regulates the activity of mature proteins. The lecture highlights how these modifications can lead to conformational changes in proteins, affecting their structure and function. Understanding these processes is essential for comprehending how proteins operate within the cell and their roles in various biological functions.