Translational control through ribosome heterogeneity and functional specialization

The conceptual origins of ribosome specialization can be traced back to the earliest days of molecular biology. Yet, this field has only recently begun to gather momentum, with numerous studies identifying distinct heterogeneous ribosome populations across multiple species and model systems. It is proposed that some of these compositionally distinct ribosomes may be functionally specialized and able to regulate the translation of specific mRNAs. Identification and functional characterization of specialized ribosomes has the potential to elucidate a novel layer of gene expression control, at the level of translation, where the ribosome itself is a key regulatory player. In this review, we discuss different sources of ribosome heterogeneity, evidence for ribosome specialization, and also the future directions of this exciting field.

Automated summary

The concept of ribosome specialization originates from the early days of molecular biology, but has recently gained momentum. Studies have identified distinct ribosome populations in various species and model systems, with some potentially having functional specialization in regulating specific mRNA translation. Further research in this field could reveal a new layer of gene expression control at the translation level, where the ribosome plays a key regulatory role.