Molecular inventory control in ribosome biosynthesis.

The eukaryotic cell coordinates the accumulation of each ribosomal protein with every other ribosomal protein, with ribosomal RNA and with the needs of the cell. To do so it regulates the transcription, processing, translation and lifetime of the mRNA for ribosomal proteins. When all else fails, it rapidly degrades any excess ribosomal protein which is synthesized.