RIBOSOMES AS NEXUS BETWEEN TRANSLATION AND CANCER PROGRESSION: FOCUS ON RIBOSOMAL RACK1 IN BREAST CANCER

Ribosome coordinates spatio-temporal control of gene expression, playing a role in the acquisition and maintenance of cancer phenotype. The link between ribosome and cancer is found on individual ribosomal proteins (RPs) role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, including the RP named Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1), involved in different cancer types, including breast cancer (BC). RACK1 regulates cancer cell invasion and it is localized in Spreading Initiation Centers (SICs), structural adhesion complexes involved in the formation and maturation of focal sites. Different RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) and poly-adenylated mRNAs were identified in SICs, suggesting a local translation process. Since RACK1 is a RP directly involved in the translation process and in BC progression, we propose a new molecular mechanism for BC cell migration and invasion, which takes into consideration epithelial and mesenchymal profiles molecular differences. Understanding such a role for RACK1 may allow the characterization of a new molecular network providing novel targets for therapeutic strategies. Therefore, here we provide an analysis on how ribosomes translate cancer progression with a final focus on the ribosomal RACK1 in breast cancer.