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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Purification of Ubiquitinated p53 Proteins from Mammalian Cells
Published on: March 21, 2022
Ribosome biogenesis surveillance: probing the ribosomal protein-Mdm2-p53 pathway
1Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Abstract:
The dynamic processes of cell growth and cell division remain under constant surveillance. As one of the primary 'gatekeepers' of the cell, p53 has a major role in sensing a variety of stressors to maintain cellular homeostasis. Growth is driven by new protein synthesis, a process that requires robust manufacture of ribosomes in the nucleolus. Ribosome biogenesis is a complex process comprising transcription, modification, and processing of ribosomal RNA, production of ribosomal proteins (RPs) and auxiliary factors, and coordinated assembly of ribonucleoprotein particles to produce mature ribosomes. As the major function of the nucleolus, ribosome biogenesis demands a considerable amount of resources and must be maintained in a coordinated manner to ensure fidelity of the process. Perturbations to many aspects of ribosome biogenesis are thought to contribute to 'nucleolar stress' and trigger a RP-Mdm2-p53 stress response pathway. In this review, we will clarify how disruption to three major components of ribosome biogenesis can trigger nucleolar stress and activate p53, thereby lending support to a RP-Mdm2-p53 ribosome biogenesis surveillance pathway.
Insights
Cellular surveillance relies on p53, a key gatekeeper. Disruptions in ribosome biogenesis trigger nucleolar stress, activating a p53-Mdm2 pathway crucial for maintaining homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular homeostasis is maintained by surveillance mechanisms, with p53 acting as a crucial gatekeeper.
- Ribosome biogenesis, essential for protein synthesis and cell growth, occurs in the nucleolus and is a resource-intensive process.
- Perturbations in ribosome biogenesis can lead to 'nucleolar stress', activating cellular stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how disruptions in ribosome biogenesis components trigger nucleolar stress.
- To elucidate the activation of the p53 pathway in response to nucleolar stress.
- To support the existence of a ribosome biogenesis surveillance pathway involving ribosomal proteins (RPs), Mdm2, and p53.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ribosome biogenesis, nucleolar stress, and p53 signaling.
- Analysis of the interplay between ribosomal protein production, Mdm2, and p53.
- Identification of key disruptions in ribosome biogenesis that activate stress responses.
Main Results:
- Disruptions in three major ribosome biogenesis components can induce nucleolar stress.
- Nucleolar stress activates the p53 tumor suppressor.
- A surveillance pathway involving ribosomal proteins (RPs), Mdm2, and p53 is implicated in monitoring ribosome biogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The p53-Mdm2 pathway acts as a critical surveillance mechanism for ribosome biogenesis.
- Maintaining the fidelity of ribosome biogenesis is essential for cellular homeostasis.
- Understanding this pathway offers insights into cellular stress responses and potential therapeutic targets.
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