Conclusions

Mechanism of activation
SDS increases rate of product release
Magnesium increases rate of nucleophilic attack
Buffer ions assist in proton transfer to released product

Protein digestion
20S proteasome is capable of digesting destabilied proteins
Rates compare to monomeric proteases
probably due to 14 active sites in small space
Rates unaffected by small molecule activators

Cooperativity
Some evidence found
Supports both negative and positive cooperativity
Data does not allow for conclusions as to mechanism