Plant Proteolysis in Development: Insights and Functions

Plant proteolysis is an important process through which proteome quality and quantity surveillance is accomplished. Proteases regulate protein turnover and expand their functional diversity. Proteolysis is mostly known as a means to remove proteins but may also result in the production of new shorter proteins. Hence, proteolysis is directly linked with many aspects of the plant’s lifecycle. Here, we provide an overview of selected examples of the major proteolytic pathways known, digestive (autophagy, proteasome, ubiquitin-like pathways and N-end rule) and limited proteolysis in development.