The speed at which a cell produces proteins is a decisive factor in determining whether it divides, specializes, or retains its stem cell properties. Together with international collaborators, the team led by Stefan Stricker, Head of the Research Group Epigenetic Engineering at the Institute of Stem Cell Research at Helmholtz Munich and Professor at the Biomedical Center (BMC) of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), has now demonstrated for the first time that the amount of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) directly regulates these processes. The results have been published in the journal Science.
New Method Makes It Possible to Control Ribosomal RNA in a Targeted Manner
It has been established for some time that the amount of ribosomal RNA differs between different types of cells and is altered in the case of a number of diseases. But it remained unclear whether these specific characteristics are the cause or merely the result of biological processes.
With the newly developed CRISPR-based method TAPIR (Targeted Activation of Protein Translation), researchers now have access to a tool that can boost the activity of ribosomal genes and influence a cell’s protein production as a result.
“Our new study shows that targeted activation of rRNA production significantly increases protein synthesis,” explains Stricker, lead author of the publication.
New Perspectives for Rare Diseases and Cancer
The results could be particularly relevant for diseases in which ribosome function is disturbed. These include ribosomopathies such as Treacher-Collins syndrome, a rare congenital disease that causes facial malformations. In a mouse model, the researchers successfully managed to partially compensate for disease-related alterations by stimulating rRNA production in a targeted way.
In addition, the research team observed that similar mechanisms also play a role in pancreatic cancer. Tumor cells seem to use increased rRNA production to maintain their rapid growth. In the mouse model for pancreatic cancer, TAPIR was able to increase rRNA production and promote the growth of the cancer cells. This shows that the increased rRNA production has a causal effect in contributing to tumor growth and is not just a side effect.
A Platform for Further Research Topics Related to Health
“Our study clearly shows that the regulation of protein biosynthesis plays a key role both in processes of development and growth and in the development of cancer,” says Stricker in summary.
He views TAPIR as a research platform for better understanding the impact of protein synthesis on health and disease and for developing new therapeutic approaches over the long term.
It is conceivable that in the future this approach will be suitable for treating diseases associated with reduced ribosome function and also open up new targets for therapies to combat tumors in which protein production has spiraled out of control.
Original Publication
Wiesbeck et al., 2025: Manipulation of protein translation and stem cell self-renewal by CRISPR activation of rRNA transcription. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.aeh1348
