Structural highlights
Function[RS6_LEIMA] May play an important role in controlling cell growth and proliferation through the selective translation of particular classes of mRNA. Publication Abstract from PubMedKinetoplastids are potentially lethal protozoan pathogens affecting more than 20 million people worldwide. There is a critical need for more specific targets for the development of safer anti-kinetoplastid therapeutic molecules that can replace the scarce and highly cytotoxic current drugs. The kinetoplastid ribosome represents a potential therapeutic target due to its relative structural divergence when compared with its human counterpart. However, several kinetoplastid-specific ribosomal features remain uncharacterized. Here, we present the near-atomic cryoelectron microscopy structure of a novel bona fide kinetoplastid-specific ribosomal (r-) protein (KSRP) bound to the ribosome. KSRP is an essential protein located at the solvent face of the 40S subunit, where it binds and stabilizes kinetoplastid-specific domains of rRNA, suggesting its role in ribosome integrity. KSRP also interacts with the r-protein eS6 at a region that is only conserved in kinetoplastids. The kinetoplastid-specific ribosomal environment of KSRP provides a promising target for the design of safer anti-kinetoplastidian drugs. The cryo-EM Structure of a Novel 40S Kinetoplastid-Specific Ribosomal Protein.,Brito Querido J, Mancera-Martinez E, Vicens Q, Bochler A, Chicher J, Simonetti A, Hashem Y Structure. 2017 Oct 13. pii: S0969-2126(17)30305-2. doi:, 10.1016/j.str.2017.09.014. PMID:29107485[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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