Some reassembly required.
Cells invest a significant amount of their energy synthesizing proteins, and a large portion of the energy expenditure goes into making ribosomes, the RNA-protein machines at the centre of translation. When ribosomes are damaged in a cell, i.e. during stressful conditions, cells must first recognize the damage and then mount a response. Remme et al. show that instead of having to rebuild ribosomes from scratch, bacteria can repair ribosomes by replacing damaged proteins in situ, thereby saving significant time and energy. Given the central role of translation, such repair mechanisms might be widespread in nature.
Cate
Jamie H D
JH
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. jcate@lbl.gov
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism*
D012269:Ribosomal Proteins