2. Academic Validation
  3. Ribosome biogenesis in cancer: new players and therapeutic avenues

Ribosome biogenesis in cancer: new players and therapeutic avenues

  • Nat Rev Cancer. 2018 Jan;18(1):51-63. doi: 10.1038/nrc.2017.104.
Joffrey Pelletier 1,  George Thomas 2,  Siniša Volarević 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
  • 2 Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; at the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA; and at the Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Physiological Sciences II, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
  • 3 Department of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Brace Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; and at the Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Rijeka, Brace Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
PMID: 29192214 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2017.104
Abstract

The ribosome is a complex molecular machine composed of numerous distinct proteins and nucleic acids and is responsible for protein synthesis in every living cell. Ribosome biogenesis is one of the most multifaceted and energy- demanding processes in biology, involving a large number of assembly and maturation factors, the functions of which are orchestrated by multiple cellular inputs, including mitogenic signals and nutrient availability. Although causal associations between inherited mutations affecting ribosome biogenesis and elevated Cancer risk have been established over the past decade, mechanistic data have emerged suggesting a broader role for dysregulated ribosome biogenesis in the development and progression of most spontaneous cancers. In this Opinion article, we highlight the most recent findings that provide new insights into the molecular basis of ribosome biogenesis in Cancer and offer our perspective on how these observations present opportunities for the design of new targeted Cancer treatments.

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