Ribosome (Mitochondrial and Eukaryotic) (mitoribosome and 80S ribosome)

The ribosome is the universal ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for translating genetic information into proteins. In eukaryotic cells, protein synthesis occurs on cytosolic 80S ribosomes and within mitochondria on specialized 55S mitoribosomes (Greber & Ban, 2016, Annual Review of Biochemistry). The 80S ribosome is a target for therapeutic intervention in hematologic malignancies, where inhibitors like omacetaxine mepesuccinate bind the A-site to prevent protein chain elongation (Gandhi et al., 2014, Clinical Cancer Research). Mitochondrial ribosomes, while essential for synthesizing core components of the electron transport chain, are frequently the site of off-target toxicity for several classes of antibiotics, including oxazolidinones and aminoglycosides, due to their structural homology with bacterial 70S ribosomes (Kalghatgi et al., 2013, Science Translational Medicine). This cross-reactivity can lead to clinical complications such as myelosuppression, ototoxicity, and lactic acidosis. Emerging research also highlights the mitoribosome as a potential primary target in certain cancers that exhibit high dependency on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (Skrtic et al., 2011, Cancer Cell). Dysregulation of ribosome biogenesis or function in either compartment is linked to a group of disorders known as ribosomopathies and various metabolic diseases (Narla & Ebert, 2010, Blood).

Other names

55S ribosome80S ribosomeCytosolic ribosomeMitoribosomeRibonucleoprotein particle

Inhibition of protein translation through binding to ribosomal subunits, blocking the peptidyl transferase center, or interfering with tRNA translocation (Gandhi et al., 2014, Clinical Cancer Research; Wilson & Doudna Cate, 2012, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology).