MRT4 homolog, ribosome maturation factor (MRTO4)

MRT4 homolog, ribosome maturation factor (MRTO4) is a nuclear protein involved in the early stages of assembly and maturation of the large (60S) ribosomal subunit[4][5][7]. It is a paralog of ribosomal protein P0, dynamically shuttling between the nucleus and cytoplasm during ribosome biogenesis, but cannot substitute for P0 in mature ribosomes[2][4][7]. MRTO4 localizes primarily in the nucleolus and undergoes regulatory phosphorylation that modulates its molecular behavior under stress[2]. Elevated MRTO4 expression has functional consequences in cancer biology, notably promoting glycolysis and hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting the metabolic enzyme ALDOB, and is associated with enhanced proliferation, invasion, and resistance to apoptosis in tumor cells[2][3]. While direct targeting by approved drugs is not established, MRTO4 serves as an independent prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in cancer[3].

Other names

C1orf33MRT4dJ657E11.4mRNA turnover protein 4 homologribosome assembly factor MRTO460S acidic ribosomal protein PO (not directly equivalent, but shares sequence similarity)mRNA turnover 4 homolog

Not applicable (no drugs directly targeting MRTO4 listed) In cancer, inhibition of MRTO4 could suppress glycolysis, cell proliferation, and invasion