The nucleolus: structure/function relationship in RNA metabolism.

[en] The nucleolus is the ribosome factory of the cells. This is the nuclear domain where ribosomal RNAs are synthesized, processed, and assembled with ribosomal proteins. Here we describe the classical tripartite organization of the nucleolus in mammals, reflecting ribosomal gene transcription and pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) processing efficiency: fibrillar center, dense fibrillar component, and granular component. We review the nucleolar organization across evolution from the bipartite organization in yeast to the tripartite organization in humans. We discuss the basic principles of nucleolar assembly and nucleolar structure/function relationship in RNA metabolism. The control of nucleolar assembly is presented as well as the role of pre-existing machineries and pre-rRNAs inherited from the previous cell cycle. In addition, nucleoli carry many essential extra ribosomal functions and are closely linked to cellular homeostasis and human health. The last part of this review presents recent advances in nucleolar dysfunctions in human pathology such as cancer and virus infections that modify the nucleolar organization.

Disciplines :

Anatomy (cytology, histology, embryology...) & physiology

Author, co-author :

Hernandez-Verdun, Daniele

Roussel, Pascal

Thiry, Marc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences de la vie > Biologie cellulaire

Sirri, Valentina

Lafontaine, Denis L J

Language :

English

Title :

The nucleolus: structure/function relationship in RNA metabolism.

Publication date :

2010

Journal title :

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA

ISSN :

1757-7004

eISSN :

1757-7012

Publisher :

John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, United States - New Jersey

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

415-31

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Commentary :

Available on ORBi :

since 05 March 2012

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1 (0 by ULiège)

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Scopus citations^®

203

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

185

OpenCitations

190

OpenAlex citations

231

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