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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells
Published on: October 4, 2018
Mechanisms and players of mitoribosomal biogenesis revealed in trypanosomatids
Ondřej Gahura1, Prashant Chauhan2, Alena Zíková2
1Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Translation in mitochondria is mediated by mitochondrial ribosomes, or mitoribosomes, complex ribonucleoprotein machines with dual genetic origin. Mitoribosomes in trypanosomatid parasites diverged markedly from their bacterial ancestors and other eukaryotic lineages in terms of protein composition, rRNA content, and overall architecture, yet their core functional elements remained conserved. Recent cryo-electron microscopy studies provided atomic models of trypanosomatid large and small mitoribosomal subunits and their precursors, making these parasites the organisms with the best-understood biogenesis of mitoribosomes. The structures revealed molecular mechanisms and players involved in the assembly of mitoribosomes not only in the parasites, but also in eukaryotes in general.
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