Ribosomes are essential macromolecular complexes that translate genetic
information from mRNA into proteins. Composed of rRNA and ribosomal proteins,
they consist of two subunits, large and small, in both prokaryotic (70S) and eukaryotic
(80S) cells, with structural differences reflecting their evolutionary adaptations.
Ribosome biogenesis (Ribi) is a tightly regulated process initiated by rDNA
transcription and subunit assembly in eukaryotes and involving factors like NusA and
NusG in prokaryotes. Ribosomes drive protein synthesis through complex processes of
initiation, elongation, termination, and recycling, facilitated by GTPases and elongation
factors, ribosomopathies cause diseases such as Diamond-Blackfan Anemia and
Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, linked to mutations in ribosomal proteins. Ribosomal
dysfuntion can lead to both hypo- and hyper-proliferation, increasing cancer risk.
Recent advances in targeting ribosome-related pathways, such as mTORC1 inhibition,
and techniques like ribosome profiling have provided insights into diseases like
leukemia and medulloblastoma, revealing non-canonical ORF translation and novel
therapeutic targets. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating
ribosome function in disease treatment.
Keywords: ABCE1, Biogenesis, Cancer, Elongation, Eukaryotes, Fingerprinting, GTPases, Prokaryotes, Protein Synthesis, Ribosomal Subunits, Ribosome Profiling, Ribosomopathies, rRNA, Termination, tRNA.
