Proteasome-activating peptide 1 TFA is a peptide and a potent proteasome activator. Proteasome-activating peptide 1 TFA increases the chymotrypsin-like proteasomal catalytic activity and, consequently, proteolytic rates both in vitro and in culture. Proteasome-activating peptide 1 TFA prevents protein aggregation in a cellular model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.