Coupling of Ribosome Synthesis and Translational Capacity with Cell Growth

Trends Biochem Sci. 2020 Aug;45(8):681-692. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.04.010. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

Ribosome and protein synthesis lie at the core of cell growth and are major consumers of the cellular budget. Here we review recent progress in the coupling of ribosome synthesis and translational capacity with cell growth in bacteria. We elaborate on the different strategies of bacteria to modulate the protein synthesis rate at fast and slow growth rates. In particular, bacterial cells maintain translational potential at very slow growth as a strategy to keep fitness in fluctuating environments. We further discuss the important role of ribosome synthesis in rapidly proliferating eukaryotic cells such as yeast cells and cancer cells. The tight relation between ribosome and cell growth provides a broad research avenue for researchers from various disciplines.

Keywords: bacterial growth; cancer cell growth; nutrient availability; protein synthesis; yeast growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Division*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*
  • Yeasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins