Ribosome Biogenesis: A Central Player in Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance

Ribosomes are a complex ensemble of rRNA and ribosomal proteins that function as mRNA translation machines. Ribosome biogenesis is a multistep process that begins in the nucleolus and concludes in the cytoplasm. The process is tightly controlled by multiple checkpoint and surveillance pathways. Perturbations in these checkpoints and pathways can lead to hyperactivation of ribosome biogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells harbor a specialized class of ribosomes (onco-ribosomes) that facilitates the oncogenic translation program, modulates cellular functions, and promotes metabolic rewiring. Mutations in ribosomal proteins, rRNA processing, and ribosome assembly factors result in ribosomopathies…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Defense

  Awards: W81XWH-10-1-0755, W81XWH, W81XWH-18, W81XWH-18-1-0036
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: CA194048, W81XWH
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Award: CA194048