Human 80S ribosome (80S ribosome)

The human 80S ribosome is the primary site of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells, functioning as a large ribonucleoprotein complex composed of the 40S and 60S subunits (PubMed: 28439013). It translates genetic information from messenger RNA (mRNA) into functional proteins, a process essential for cellular growth, proliferation, and maintenance. In the context of disease, the 80S ribosome is often hijacked by viruses to produce viral proteins and is frequently upregulated in cancer cells to support rapid growth (PubMed: 26245381). Therapeutic targeting of the human ribosome is exemplified by Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, which binds to the ribosomal A-site to inhibit protein synthesis in leukemia cells (PubMed: 23133134). Furthermore, the ribosome is the target of potent toxins such as ricin, which enzymatically inactivates the 28S rRNA, leading to cell death (PubMed: 3065538). Understanding the structural nuances of the human 80S ribosome is vital for developing selective inhibitors that can distinguish between healthy and malignant or pathogen-infected cells.

Other names

Eukaryotic ribosomeCytoplasmic ribosome80S ribonucleoprotein complex

Inhibition of protein synthesis by preventing the correct positioning of aminoacyl-tRNA in the A-site of the 60S subunit or by site-specific depurination of the 28S rRNA, which prevents the binding of elongation factors (PubMed: 23133134, PubMed: 3065538).