bims-tricox Biomed News
on Translation, ribosomes and COX
Issue of 2022–12–04
three papers selected by
Yash Verma, University of Delhi South Campus



  1. Nat Commun. 2022 Dec 02. 13(1): 7435
      Ribosomes translate genetic information into primary structure. During translation, various cofactors transiently bind to the ribosome that undergoes prominent conformational and structural changes. Different translational states of ribosomes have been well characterized in vitro. However, to which extent the known translational states are representative of the native situation inside cells has thus far only been addressed in prokaryotes. Here, we apply cryo-electron tomography to cryo-FIB milled Dictyostelium discoideum cells combined with subtomogram averaging and classification. We obtain an in situ structure that is locally resolved up to 3 Angstrom, the distribution of eukaryotic ribosome translational states, and unique arrangement of rRNA expansion segments. Our work demonstrates the use of in situ structural biology techniques for identifying distinct ribosome states within the cellular environment.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34997-w
  2. Methods Mol Biol. 2023 ;2601 363-378
      Current research is focusing on ribosome heterogeneity as a response to changing environmental conditions and stresses. Altered stoichiometry and composition of ribosomal proteins as well as association of additional protein factors are mechanisms for shaping the protein expression profile or hibernating ribosomes. In this updated chapter, we present a method for the isolation of ribosomes to analyze antibiotic-induced changes in the composition of ribosomes in Bacillus subtilis or other bacteria. Ribosomes and associated proteins are isolated by ultracentrifugation, and proteins are identified and quantified using label-free mass spectrometry.
    Keywords:  Mass spectrometry; Proteomics; Ribosome heterogeneity; Stress
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2855-3_20
  3. Biosystems. 2022 Nov 27. pii: S0303-2647(22)00200-3. [Epub ahead of print] 104819
      This short review provides basic knowledge on mitochondrial inheritance, its disorders, and potential ways to overcome them in human reproductive medicine. The latter are currently mostly associated with the so-called mitochondrial replacement (nuclear transfer) procedures, performed at different stages and with slight technical differences. Being promising but obviously highly invasive, these procedures require detailed investigation of their delayed effects on embryogenesis, pregnancy and future health. A special attention is paid to the newest available data on these issues, as well as to their limitations and possible further research directions.
    Keywords:  Maternal spindle transfer; Mitochondrial diseases; Mitochondrial inheritance; Mitochondrial replacement; Nuclear transfer; Polar body transfer; Pronuclear transfer; mtDNA
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystems.2022.104819