Aggresome

Aggresome

An aggresome is a cytoplasmic structure that contains misfolded proteins. It usually occurs under stress conditions when the possibility of translation mistakes increases and the protein degradation machinery is overwhelmed. Aggresome formation is important as it organizes all misfolded proteins at one site and therefore prevents possible cytotoxic effects of the misfolded proteins.

Immunofluorescent staining

Aggresomes usually form around the nucleus and appear as a big blob in the cytoplasm. Aggresome formation is characterized by a disruption of the microtubule network (red channel) making it easy to identify them. The staining of aggresomes varies a lot between cell lines as some cell lines are more prone to aggresome formation than others.

Read more about the proteome of the cytosol.