Abstract: Major advances have been achieved recently in the molecular composition of the proteasomes, their subunits, biochemical mechanisms and intracellular functions. Many cellular functions and processes are conserved in proteasomes including proteolytic functions, the regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis and transcription factor, enhancement of antigen presentation. In parasites, the proteasome is involved in the regulation of cell differentiation and replication, participation in impairment on hosts, and could therefore be an antigen inducing immune response in the host. Studies on parasite proteasomes will be beneficial for better understanding of mechanisms in host cell invasion by parasites, also providing a new thread for prevention and control of parasites. Therefore, this article reviews recent progress concerning the structure and functions of proteasomes, in particular, the parasite proteasomes.