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Extra-Ribosomal Roles for Ribosomal Proteins and Their Relevance to Tumour Suppression, Carcinogenesis and Cancer
Sreepriya Pk1, Joshua Freimanis2, Thomas Kovala1,2,3,4
1Ph.D. Program in Biomolecular Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada.
Cancers
|September 13, 2025
Summary
Free ribosomal proteins (RPs) have dual roles outside of ribosomes, acting as tumor suppressors in normal tissues and promoting cancer progression in tumor cells. Understanding these extra-ribosomal functions highlights the ribosome as a key therapeutic target in cancer.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis, a highly energy-dependent process.
- Ribosomal proteins (RPs) are crucial for ribosome function, but also exert extra-ribosomal roles.
- Dysregulation of RPs is linked to diseases like Diamond-Blackfan anemia and ribosomopathies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the extra-ribosomal functions of ribosomal proteins.
- To explore the dual role of free RPs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
- To highlight the ribosome as a potential therapeutic target in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ribosomal proteins and their extra-ribosomal roles.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which free RPs influence cell cycle, p53 degradation, and tumorigenesis.
- Synthesis of evidence linking RP dysregulation to cancer development and progression.
Main Results:
- Free RPs can act as tumor suppressors by inducing cell cycle arrest and inhibiting p53 degradation.
- Mutated or modified free RPs in cancer cells can promote proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
- Aberrant ribosome biogenesis and function ("onco-ribosomes") contribute to cancer phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Extra-ribosomal functions of RPs are context-dependent, influencing both tumor suppression and promotion.
- Understanding these dual roles is critical for developing novel cancer therapies.
- The ribosome and its associated proteins represent a promising therapeutic target for human cancers.
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