Basis of differentiation

Proteasome

Protease

Definition

Proteasome is a protein complexes which degrade unnecessary or damaged proteins through proteolysis

Protease is an enzyme which breaks down peptides and proteins

pH dependency 

Proteasome does not depend on pH for its activity 

Proteases are highly dependent on pH for its activity

Structure

Is a comparatively larger molecule with a core particle and regulatory cap

Proteases are comparatively smaller with catalytic domain

Molecular weight

Proteasomes are high molecular weight molecules

Proteses have comparatively lower molecular weights 

Function

Primary functions of proteasomes include protein unfolding and preliminary cleavage

Primary function is the complete cleavage of protein molecules into individual amino acids

Ubiquitin dependency

Proteasome depends on ubiquitin for its activity

Proteases do not depend on ubiquitin for their activity