Do chaperone proteins misfold?

Question

If molecular chaperone proteins assist in the folding process of other proteins and misfolded proteins, can chaperone themselves misfold since they are also proteins? What would happen if chaperones misfolded? Can they misfold at all? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Absolutely, they can misfold and become non-functional themselves. This could lead to lysosomal and endosomal storage diseases if the "garbage disposal" system of the cell is no longer trafficking mis-folded proteins for degradation. This is in part the basis for some neurodegenerative diseases.