Protein catabolism is the breakdown of proteins into amino acids and simple derivative compounds, for transport into the cell through the plasma membrane and ultimately for the polymerisation into new proteins via the use of ribonucleic acids (RNA) and ribosomes. Protein catabolism, which is the breakdown of macromolecules, is essentially a digestion process.
Protein catabolism is most commonly carried out by non-specific endo- and exo-proteases. However specific proteases are used for cleaving of proteins for regulatory and protein trafficking purposes. One example is the subclass of proteolytic enzymes called oligopeptidase.
The amino acids produced by catabolism may be directly recycled, used to make new amino acids, or undergo amino acid catabolism to be converted to other compounds via the Krebs cycle.
See also: amino acid synthesis.
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