The roles of GTPases in biogenesis of the large ribosomal subunit

Formation of the ribosomal subunits is coordinated by trans-acting ribosome biogenesis factors (RBFs) that mediate ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modification, folding and processing, as well as the incorporation and positioning of ribosomal proteins (RPs). GTPases are among the RBFs that consume energy to drive structural rearrangements of pre-ribosomal particles, and several of these enzymes play important roles in assembly of the large subunit.

Protein-RNA crosslinking approaches were used to identify GNL3L binding sites on pre-ribosomes and map RNA contact sites on the GTPase. The findings of this study support the involvement of GNL3L in large subunit biogenesis and provide new insights into its functions in this process.