Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
12:05
RIBO-seq in Bacteria: a Sample Collection and Library Preparation Protocol for NGS Sequencing
Published on: August 7, 2021
8.1K
Death by ribosome
Anna Constance Vind1, Franklin L Zhong2, Simon Bekker-Jensen1
1Center for Gene Expression, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Trends in Cell Biology
|December 12, 2024
Summary
Ribosomes sense cell stress and trigger the ribotoxic stress response (RSR). This pathway, involving ZAKα, p38, and JNK, links ribosome damage to programmed cell death like apoptosis and pyroptosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
- Programmed Cell Death
Background:
- Ribosomes are crucial for protein synthesis but also act as sensors of cellular stress.
- Stalled or collided ribosomes initiate specific signaling pathways, notably the ribotoxic stress response (RSR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the connection between ribosome toxicity and programmed cell death.
- To elucidate the role of the RSR pathway in mediating cell death.
- To highlight the physiological relevance of these processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in RSR.
- Examination of cell death mechanisms triggered by ribosome stress.
Main Results:
- The RSR pathway is initiated by ZAKα kinase in response to translational errors.
- RSR activation leads to the downstream activation of stress-activated MAP kinases p38 and JNK.
- The RSR pathway plays a significant role in initiating apoptosis and pyroptosis.
Conclusions:
- Ribosome toxicity is a critical factor in triggering programmed cell death.
- The RSR pathway serves as a key mediator linking ribosome dysfunction to cell death.
- Understanding these links is vital for various physiological conditions.
Related Concept Videos
02:24Ribosome Profiling
3.5K
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
3.5K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
7.0K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.0K
01:44Termination of Translation
25.0K
The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...
25.0K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
3.4K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.4K
01:31Translation
14.5K
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Proteins are...
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Proteins are...
14.5K
02:27Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay
10.5K
The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.5K