Protein Degradation Unlocked

Protein quality control ensures that newly synthesized misfolded proteins are transported out of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and degraded by the proteasome. In his Perspective, [Sifers][1] explains the findings of two new studies ([ Molinari et al .][2], [ Oda et al .][3]) that identify an ER protein called EDEM as an important molecule in the degradation of misfolded proteins. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5611/1330 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/299/5611/1397 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/299/5611/1394