Article
Cell Biology
Isabella N. Brown, M. Carmen Lafita-Navarro, Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
Summary: The nucleolus plays a crucial role in protein synthesis by producing new ribosomes. In cancer, nucleolar activity is heightened due to increased demand for protein synthesis. The transcription factor MYC promotes nucleolar activity and understanding and potentially inhibiting aberrant nucleolar activity in cancer cells could lead to novel therapeutics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonid Anikin, Dimitri G. Pestov
Summary: Aminoacridines, historically used as antiseptic and antiparasitic agents, could be repurposed for therapeutic use and new drug development. In this study, the effects of 9-aminoacridine on pre-rRNA metabolism in mammalian cells were investigated. The results showed that 9-aminoacridine inhibits both pre-rRNA transcription and processing, leading to the disruption of ribosome biogenesis. The ability of 9-aminoacridine to bind to RNA in vitro suggests its potential as a new ribosome biogenesis inhibitor.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mitsuru Okuwaki, Shoko Saito, Hiroko Hirawake-Mogi, Kyosuke Nagata
Summary: This study revealed that the nucleolar localization of NPM1 and the large ribosomal subunit precursors are mutually dependent. NPM1 plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of large ribosomal subunits and the accumulation of late processing machinery in the nucleolus.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Martyna Sochacka, Radoslaw Karelus, Lukasz Opalinski, Daniel Krowarsch, Martyna Biadun, Jacek Otlewski, Malgorzata Zakrzewska
Summary: This study identified novel binding partners of fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 12 (FGF12) and revealed its involvement in ribosome biogenesis. FGF12 was found to interact with nucleolar proteins NOLC1 and TCOF1, and this interaction was phosphorylation-dependent. Interestingly, NOLC1 and TCOF1 were unable to interact with each other in the absence of FGF12.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
M. Carmen Lafita-Navarro, Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
Summary: The nucleolus is a large nuclear organelle responsible for ribosome biogenesis. Errors in ribosomal biogenesis can cause nucleolar stress, leading to changes in nucleolar function and morphology. This review discusses the association of nucleolar stress with degenerative diseases and developmental defects, as well as the importance of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis for enhanced nucleolar activity in cancer cells and the potential targeting of nucleotide biosynthesis as a strategy to activate nucleolar stress and specifically target cancer cells.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Lu Hua, Daliang Yan, Chunhua Wan, Baoying Hu
Summary: In addition to its role in ribosome biogenesis, the nucleolus has been found to play important roles in stress response, cell fate decision, and disease progression. Nucleolar stress, caused by impaired rRNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis under stress conditions, has been linked to various signaling pathways and is involved in determining cell fate in response to stress-induced damage. Nucleolar homeostasis is also involved in the development of chronic diseases, particularly tumorigenesis, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. Understanding the mechanisms behind nucleolar stress may lead to novel therapies for these diseases.
Review
Oncology
Asimina Zisi, Jiri Bartek, Mikael S. Lindstrom
Summary: Cells, especially cancer cells, need to continuously produce ribosomes to sustain their proliferation. Targeting the machinery involved in ribosome biogenesis has shown potential for developing effective cancer therapies. This review provides information on molecules that target ribosome biogenesis and discusses potential avenues for future research.
Article
Cell Biology
Francesca Gabanella, Christian Barbato, Marco Fiore, Carla Petrella, Marco de Vincentiis, Antonio Greco, Antonio Minni, Nicoletta Corbi, Claudio Passananti, Maria Grazia Di Certo
Summary: Research reveals the association between SMN protein and nucleolin as well as mTOR mRNA, indicating that the deficiency of SMN affects the nucleolar distribution of nucleolin and leads to the nuclear retention of mTOR mRNA.
Article
Cell Biology
Kezia Catharina Oxe, Dorthe Helena Larsen
Summary: Treacle/TCOF1 is an adaptor protein associated with nucleolar chromatin, playing important roles in promoting ribosome biogenesis and maintaining genome stability. Its involvement in cancer raises questions about its role in cancer development. On one hand, overexpression of Treacle may confer growth advantages to cancer cells, while on the other hand, its function as a gatekeeper in nucleolar DNA damage response may lead to mutations impairing its function.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Monika Zakrzewska-Placzek, Anna Golisz-Mocydlarz, Michal Krzyszton, Justyna Piotrowska, Malgorzata Lichocka, Joanna Kufel
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of AtNOL12 in rRNA biogenesis and its correlation with stress response in plants. The absence of AtNOL12 alters the expression of ribosomal protein and ribosome biogenesis genes, potentially impacting ribosome function.
Review
Cell Biology
Marianne Mercer, Seoyeon Jang, Chunyang Ni, Michael Buszczak
Summary: Regulation of mRNA translation is crucial for germ cell development and function across species, involving specific RNA binding proteins. These proteins are conserved and play similar roles in germ cells of various species, highlighting the importance of understanding the mechanisms controlling mRNA translation in germ cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Hematology
Jean-Francois Peyron
Summary: In MYC-driven B-cell lymphoma, activation of the ribosome biogenesis checkpoint triggers an apoptotic response through p53-induced, proteasome-dependent degradation of MCL-1.
Article
Cell Biology
Gustavo J. C. Freitas, Ludmila Gouveia-Eufrasio, Eluzia C. P. Emidio, Hellem C. S. Carneiro, Ludmila de Matos Baltazar, Marliete C. Costa, Susana Frases, Glauber R. de Sousa Araujo, Tatiane A. Paixao, Brunno G. Sossai, Melissa Caza, James W. Kronstad, Nalu T. A. Peres, Daniel A. Santos
Summary: Cell size reduction is crucial for initial adaptation and tissue invasion during Cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection. The fungus develops mechanisms to resist the host's immune response and undergoes transcriptional changes that enhance virulence.
Article
Cell Biology
Alan Tartakoff, Patrick DiMario, Eduard Hurt, Brian McStay, Vikram Govind Panse, David Tollervey
Summary: The nucleolus is a highly ordered assembly line for producing ribosomal subunits, and the assembly factors in the nucleolus undergo cycling between operative and latent states.
GENES & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Cecelia M. Harold, Amber F. Buhagiar, Yan Cheng, Susan J. Baserga
Summary: Ribosome biogenesis is dysregulated in cancer cells, making it a potential target for therapy. Novel drugs targeting rDNA transcription machinery offer a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment.