Hibernating Ribosomes Protect Yeast Cells During Starvation

Research reveals that ribosomes attach to mitochondria in stressed yeast cells, offering insights into cellular survival mechanisms.

Scientists at EMBL and the University of Virginia discovered that ribosomes in starved yeast cells attach to mitochondria, entering a hibernation state.
This adaptation helps cells conserve energy by suspending protein production during nutrient deprivation.
Ribosomes attach to mitochondria in an unexpected 'upside-down' manner, using their small subunit rather than the large one.
The study suggests parallels between yeast cell survival mechanisms and those of cancer cells, which also endure nutrient scarcity.
Understanding these cellular adaptations could aid in developing treatments to make cancer cells more vulnerable to starvation.