Ribosomes are the nanomachines of the cell. They act as protein factories for the organism, producing vital proteins with various tasks. Correct ribosomal formation is therefore of elementary importance in cell division and propagation. As biochemist Ed Hurt explains, scientists first observed about 20 years ago that cancer cell division could be inhibited by blocking the production of new ribosomes. It took another decade until they were able explain what the molecular origins of this connection might be.
A ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) called 5S RNP plays a critical role in this association. While studying its properties, the Heidelberg research team led by Prof. ...
