proteostasis

Proteostasis, or protein homeostasis, refers to the cell's process of maintaining the proper balance, structure, and function of its proteins. Proteins are essential for nearly all cellular activities, and they need to be correctly formed, folded, and functioning. The cell has mechanisms to produce, fold, repair, and degrade proteins as needed. When these processes work well, cellular health is maintained. If proteostasis is disrupted—due to stress, aging, or illness— proteins can misfold or accumulate, leading to problems like diseases such as Alzheimer's. Overall, proteostasis is vital for cell function and health.