Export and Maturation of Ribosomal Subunits

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ribosome is responsible for protein synthesis and is essential in all cells. Its faithful translation of the genetic code and the proper regulation of its activity are necessary for normal cell growth and development. Ribosome assembly is a complex, dynamic process and mechanisms must exist that ensure the correct assembly of ribosomes in order to maintain the fidelity of translation. In addition, ribosome biogenesis accounts for a large portion of the energy expenditure of a rapidly dividing cell and must be coordinated with the metabolic needs of a cell. Indeed, the rapid cell growth of many cancers requires up-regulation of ribosome biogenesis. Thus, understanding the mechanisms regulating ribosome biogenesis will provide insight for the development of new tools for controlling cell proliferation in disease states. The delineation of fundamental cellular pathways such as ribosome biogenesis is also necessary for the intelligent development of new drugs that are specific to their intended cellular targets without impinging adversely on other cellular pathways. This proposal is directed at understanding how the large ribosomal subunit in yeast is transported from its site of assembly in the nucleus to its site of function in the cytoplasm and activated for translation. Although we use yeast as a model organism, these pathways are highly conserved and findings from our work will be relevant to understanding these pathways in human cells as well. This proposal will: 1) Identify how the ribosomal protein Rpl25 and the export receptor Arx1 collaborate in nuclear export of the large (60S) ribosomal subunit. 2) Develop an ordered pathway of all the known cytoplasmic maturation events of the 60S subunit. In this work we will examine the role that assembling the ribosome stalk plays in the final maturation steps of the ribosome. 3) Determine if ribosome biogenesis is coupled with translation in controlling the final maturation step of the 60S subunit. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project delineates essential and fundamental molecular pathways that are conserved throughout eukaryotes. Understanding these pathways and how they are integrated with other cellular pathways will provide the intellectual underpinning for investigators carrying out translational research.