Figure 1.

Cellular strategies to maintain protein homeostasis. Cells have evolved distinct yet interconnected cellular strategies to maintain protein homeostasis. Each strategy presents advantages and drawbacks. Misfolded proteins can either be refolded, degraded, or delivered to distinct quality control compartments that sequester potentially deleterious species. These strategies are all assisted by molecular chaperones that ensure the system remains balanced. Failure of the cellular strategies can tip the protein homeostasis balance and lead to a decrease in cell viability.