Ponti Donatella
Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso Della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 28;26(9):4174. doi: 10.3390/ijms26094174.
The nucleolus is the most prominent nuclear domain in eukaryotic cells, primarily responsible for ribosome biogenesis. It synthesizes and processes precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) into mature rRNAs, assembling the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits, which later form the 80S ribosome-the essential molecular machine for protein synthesis. Beyond ribosome production, the nucleolus lacks a delimiting membrane, allowing it to rapidly regulate cellular homeostasis by sequestering key stress response factors. This adaptability enables dynamic changes in size, number, and protein composition in response to cellular stress and signaling. Recent research highlights the nucleolus as a critical regulator of chemoresistance. Given its central role in cell survival and stress adaptation, the nucleolus has become an attractive therapeutic target, particularly in cancer treatment. A deeper understanding of nucleolar metabolism could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies against various human diseases.
核仁是真核细胞中最显著的核结构域，主要负责核糖体的生物发生。它将前体核糖体RNA（pre-rRNA）合成并加工成成熟的rRNA，组装40S和60S核糖体亚基，这些亚基随后形成80S核糖体——蛋白质合成所必需的分子机器。除了核糖体产生外，核仁没有界定膜，这使其能够通过隔离关键的应激反应因子来快速调节细胞内稳态。这种适应性使得核仁能够根据细胞应激和信号传导动态改变大小、数量和蛋白质组成。最近的研究强调核仁是化疗耐药性的关键调节因子。鉴于其在细胞存活和应激适应中的核心作用，核仁已成为一个有吸引力的治疗靶点，尤其是在癌症治疗中。对核仁代谢的更深入理解可能为针对各种人类疾病的新型治疗策略铺平道路。
