In eukaryotic cells two highly conserved degradation pathways exist: long-lived proteins are degraded within the lysosome, an organelle with membranes which protect the surrounding cytoplasm against lysosomal hydrolases (Rendueles & Wolf, 1988); short-lived proteins are degraded by proteasomes, multimeric protease complexes which move between the nucleo- and cytoplasm (Hershko & Ciechanover, 1998).
CD46 is a widely distributed cell membrane protein, which protects the host cells from accidental damage by complement through inactivating the alternative pathway of the complement system.
Antioxidant activity is also associated with the enzyme phospholipid-hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, which protects membranes from oxidative stress by reducing the membrane hydroperoxides [ 40].
Most recently, Zhao et al. have presented an interesting aspect of the arrestin function that ARTs together with Rsp5 compose a plasma membrane quality control system, which protects cells from proteotoxic stress in S. cerevisiae (Zhao et al., 2013).
These data are consistent with caveolae acting as membrane reserves which protect the cardiac cell from lysis.
Buitink and Leprince (2004) suggested that sucrose participates in the formation of intracellular glass, which protects membranes during dehydration.
Additionally, circadian rhythms in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), the initial enzyme for catabolism of 5-FU, and glutathione (GSH), which protects cell membranes and proteins, metabolizes endogenous compounds, and transports amino acids, were linked to reduced 5-FU and platinum toxicities in 20 NPC patients.
Foods containing vitamin E, which protects skin cell membranes.
