Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method
08:04

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method

Published on: October 23, 2018

19.7K

Ribosome collisions and ZAKα activation: explores the therapeutic potential of metabolic diseases

Wenqiang Zhang1,2,3, Kexin Zhang1,2, Chengxia Kan1,2

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, People's Republic of China.

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic diseases are linked to ribosomal stress response (RSR) caused by oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Targeting ribosome collisions may offer new therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • Obesity-driven metabolic diseases like diabetes and fatty liver are rising globally.
  • The ribosomal stress response (RSR) is an emerging mechanism in metabolic dysfunction.
  • Oxidative stress, induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), can trigger RSR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the link between ROS, oxidative stress, and RSR in metabolic diseases.
  • To highlight ribosome collisions as a potential therapeutic target.
  • To review dietary interventions for mitigating oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ROS production, oxidative stress, and RSR.
  • Analysis of the role of ZAKα and stress-activated kinases in metabolic pathways.
  • Examination of evidence for dietary interventions impacting oxidative stress and metabolic health.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated ROS production leads to oxidative stress and ribosome collisions.
  • Ribosome collisions activate ZAKα and the RSR pathway, promoting metabolic dysfunction.
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants show potential in reducing oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • The interplay between ROS and RSR is crucial in metabolic disease pathogenesis.
  • Targeting ribosome collisions presents a novel therapeutic strategy for metabolic disorders.
  • Development of reliable oxidative stress biomarkers is needed for clinical application.
Keywords:
ROSmetabolic diseaseobesityreactive oxygen speciesribosomal stress

More Related Videos

Assessment of Selective mRNA Translation in Mammalian Cells by Polysome Profiling10:00

Assessment of Selective mRNA Translation in Mammalian Cells by Polysome Profiling

Published on: October 28, 2014

28.9K
Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein05:48

Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein

Published on: March 16, 2022

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
9.5K
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
580
Ribosome Profiling02:24

Ribosome Profiling

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...
4.1K
Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
533
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
14.6K
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
13.3K