ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

N-end rule

The n-end rule is like a secret code that tells our body to break down certain types of proteins. Think of a protein like a big Lego tower - it's made up of lots of little Lego pieces stuck together. Some of these Lego pieces are called amino acids and they need to be in a certain order for the protein to work properly.

Now, some of these amino acids have a special job - they're like little flags that tell our body what to do with the protein. And the n-end rule is all about one specific flag called the "n-terminal" amino acid. This is like the Lego piece at the very top of the tower.

If the n-terminal amino acid is a certain type - either methionine, arginine, or lysine - then our body knows to break down the protein and get rid of it. It's like if you had a Lego tower and the very top piece was painted red - that would tell you to knock down the whole tower and start again.

But if the n-terminal amino acid is a different type, then our body knows to keep the protein and use it for something else. It's like if the top Lego piece was painted blue - that would tell you to leave the tower alone and use it as it is.

So, the n-end rule is like a secret code that tells our body what to do with certain types of proteins based on the first amino acid at the top of the tower. And that's pretty cool!