Encoding and Interpreting Information at the Protein Level

细胞中的蛋白质水平代表合成和降解的总和。蛋白质的（基因编码的）氨基酸序列不仅指定了蛋白质的结构，而且通过序列中编码的隐藏降解信号指定了其寿命。降解速率平衡基因表达速率，因此代表决定蛋白质活性浓度的方程的后半部分。就像基因表达异常与癌症有关一样，蛋白质加工或降解异常也与癌症有关。 由其氨基给出的蛋白质的身份也是动态的，并且编码降解起始信号和降解终止信号的序列元件的组合控制具有不同于全长蛋白质的活性的蛋白质片段的形成。该项目将解码形成蛋白质组的序列信号，并确定这些机制背后的机械和化学原理。

Protein levels in the cell represent the sum of synthesis and degradation. The protein's (genetically encoded) amino acid sequence specifies not only the protein's structure, but also its lifetime through hidden degradation signals encoded in the sequence. Degradation rates balance gene expression rates and thus represent the second half of the equation that determines the active concentration of proteins. In the same way that aberrant gene expression is linked to cancer, so too is aberrant protein processing or degradation. The identity of a protein given by its amino is also dynamic and a combination of sequence elements encoding a degradation initiation signal and a degradation stop signal control the formation of protein fragments with activities distinct from those of the full length protein. This project will decode the sequence signals that shape the proteome and will determine the mechanical and chemical principles underlying these mechanisms.