Protein Synthesis in Cancer Cells: Mechanisms and Novel Targeted Therapies

Dear Colleagues,

In human cancers, oncogenes often induce profound and rapid cell growth associated with an increase in overall protein synthesis. The synthesis of proteins can be controlled at many levels including through the production of new ribosomes. The selective synthesis of proteins that affect cancer cell growth or confer resistance to treatment may be altered at the stage of translation initiation. Many existing and emerging anticancer therapeutic agents inhibit cancer cell growth by interfering with nucleotide metabolism, transcription by RNA polymerases, or translation. Recent studies have revealed links between oncogenic factors, nucleotide metabolism, and ribosome biogenesis in various cancers. In fact, cancer cells may become dependent on a high level of ribosome biogenesis, specific alterations in the ribosomal machinery, or deregulated translation. Such functional alterations that ultimately affect cancer cell protein synthesis and growth represent opportunities to develop novel anticancer therapies.
This Special Issue of Cancers, “Protein Synthesis in Cancer Cells: Mechanisms and Novel Targeted Therapies”, is devoted to compiling new research articles and timely reviews on the topic of protein synthesis in cancer cells. Specifically, we welcome submissions on ribosome biogenesis in cancer, ribosomal stress and p53, how the translational machinery is corrupted in the growing cancer cell (for example, by the use of cancer cell-specific ribosomes and modifications of rRNA), or rewiring of protein synthesis through translation factors. In particular, we welcome studies on how these cellular processes can be targeted by present or emerging novel targeted therapeutics, for example, by using mTOR, Myc, or RNA polymerase I inhibitors. Manuscripts dealing with the development of biomarkers related to ribosome biogenesis, the nucleolus, or mRNA translation in cancer are also of great interest.

Dr. Mikael S. Lindström
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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