ER-associated degradation (ERAD)

ER-associated degradation (ERAD) is a cellular process that identifies and removes misfolded or damaged proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a key cell structure for protein production. When proteins are improperly folded, ERAD recognizes these faulty proteins, labels them for destruction, and directs them to a pathway where they are broken down by enzymes called proteases. This mechanism helps maintain cellular health by preventing defective proteins from accumulating, which could disrupt cell functions or cause diseases. Essentially, ERAD acts as a quality control system, ensuring only properly folded proteins proceed to perform their roles.