Recently biochemists have discovered a new pathway by which the cell selectively degrades ribosomes. The pathway is called ribophagy. Two proteins were identified as crucial for the selective degradation of ribosomes by autophagy: ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (Ubp3) and Ubp3-associated cofactor, Bre5. This fact strengthens the connections between the autophagy and proteasome pathways of protein degradations.
Kamilla Bakowska-Zywicka, Innsbruck Biocenter, Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Medical University, Fritz-Pregl-Str. 3/II, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria