has primary input catabolic process macromolecule catabolic process protein metabolic process protein catabolic process pheromone catabolic process Wikipedia:Protein_catabolism cellular protein catabolic process protein degradation cellular protein catabolism pheromone catabolism biological_process protein breakdown cellular protein degradation The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of a protein by the destruction of the native, active configuration, with or without the hydrolysis of peptide bonds. multicellular organismal protein catabolic process cellular protein breakdown This term refers to the breakdown of mature proteins. For cleavage events involved in generating a mature protein from a precursor, consider instead the term 'protein maturation ; GO:0051604' and its children. GO:0030163 protein catabolism protein