Symportin 1 chaperones 5S RNP assembly during ribosome biogenesis by occupying an essential rRNA-binding site

Biogenesis of the 80S ribosome involves more than 200 pre-ribosomal factors, which ensure the sequential assembly of ribosomal proteins and RNAs. Here the authors show that the nuclear transport adaptor Syo1 shields the 5S RNP-docking site on RpL11 before incorporation into the pre-60S through molecular mimicry.