Nucleolus, ribosome biogenesis, and tumor growth: a review

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Abstract

This review addresses the relationship between the structural changes and functional activity of the nucleolus, and ribosome biogenesis in the initiation and progression of cancer. To prepare this review, an electronic systematic search of review and original research articles was conducted in the PubMed database, focusing on studies of the nucleolar apparatus in tumor growth. The literature search was performed in English using the following key terms: nucleolus, nucleolar stress, ribosome biogenesis, and cancer. The mechanisms underlying nucleolar stress and the molecular pathways leading to nucleolar apparatus dysfunction during tumorigenesis are discussed. It is shown that nucleolar dysfunction and accelerated ribosome biogenesis result from mutations and alterations in the expression of tumor suppressors, oncogenes, and cell cycle regulators. An increase in the number and size of nucleoli is identified as an important prognostic factor in cancers. Dysregulation of nucleolar function and structural alterations of ribosomes play a substantial role in cancer pathogenesis in the context of ribosomopathies and viral diseases. Investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying nucleolar abnormalities, ribosome biogenesis, and ribosomal dysfunction may facilitate the development of novel targeted anticancer therapies.

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About the authors

Igor P. Bobrov

Altai State Medical University

Email: ig.bobrov2010@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9097-6733
SPIN-code: 2375-1427

MD, Dr. Sci (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Barnaul, Russia

Alexander F. Lazarev

Altai State Medical University

Email: lazarev@arzs.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1080-5294
SPIN-code: 1161-8387

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Barnaul

Nikolay A. Korsikov

Altai State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: nikkor94knaagmu@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0094-4656
SPIN-code: 2534-3641
Russian Federation, Barnaul

Andrey Yu. Dolgatov

Altai State Medical University

Email: adolgatov@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7677-4622
SPIN-code: 2804-0011

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Barnaul

Alexander V. Lepilov

Altai State Medical University

Email: lepilov@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2477-4687
SPIN-code: 7516-0963

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Barnaul

Elena S. Dolgatova

Altai State Medical University

Email: adolgatov@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6678-4472
SPIN-code: 5801-0114
Russian Federation, Barnaul

Anna A. Pimenova

Altai State Medical University

Email: k-sudmed@asmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-9382-2857
SPIN-code: 9000-0477
Russian Federation, Barnaul

Elena L. Lushnikova

Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine

Email: pathol@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2614-8690
SPIN-code: 3310-1175

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Institute of Molecular Pathology and Pathomorphology

Russian Federation, Novosibirsk

Maxim A. Bakarev

Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine

Email: pathol@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9614-592X
SPIN-code: 3630-9977

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Pathomorphology

Russian Federation, Novosibirsk

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