文摘
Treatment of cells with interferon-¦Ã leads to the replacement of the constitutive catalytic proteasome subunits ¦Â1, ¦Â2, and ¦Â5 by the inducible subunits LMP2 (¦Â1i), MECL-1 (¦Â2i), and LMP7 (¦Â5i), respectively, building the so-called immunoproteasome. The incorporation of these subunits is required for the production of numerous MHC class-I restricted T cell epitopes. Recently, new evidence for an involvement of the immunoproteasome in other facets of the immune response emerged. Investigations of autoimmune diseases in animal models and a genetic predisposition of ¦Â5i in human autoimmune disorders suggest a crucial function of the immunoproteasome in proinflammatory diseases. The recent elucidation of the high-resolution structure of the immunoproteasome will facilitate the design of immunoproteasome selective inhibitors for pharmacological intervention.