Current Research on Structure and Functions of Ribosomal Proteins
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: structural biology; network
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Ribosomal proteins are among the most ancient and intriguing biomolecules in the cell. As essential components of the ribosome—often considered a molecular fossil—they provide a unique window into the earliest forms of life. Many ribosomal proteins exhibit unusual structural features: a large number are fully or partially intrinsically disordered outside the ribosome, raising fundamental questions about their folding, assembly, function, and transport.
In recent years, their roles have proven to be far more complex than initially thought. Emerging studies suggest that the network organization within the ribosome contributes to the control of ribosome dynamics during translation. Moreover, several ribosomal proteins have been implicated in extra-ribosomal functions, with growing evidence of their involvement in diverse cellular processes and diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders.
Another fascinating frontier is ribosome heterogeneity—the concept that ribosomes can vary in protein composition, potentially leading to specialized functions or adaptive responses. This paradigm shift opens new avenues for understanding translational regulation and cellular plasticity.
We warmly invite researchers exploring any aspect of ribosomal proteins—from structure and evolution to dynamics, function, and pathology—to contribute to this Special Issue. Let us together deepen our understanding of these enigmatic molecular players.
Dr. Youri Timsit
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Protein synthesis
- translation
- translocation
- dynamics
- folding
- network
- assembly
- evolution
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