Articles of Significant Interest in This Issue

Abstract

Ribosomes in nongrowing bacteria exist as 100S particles composed of two 70S ribosomes. Dimerization is important for maintaining viability during starvation. Feaga et al. (e00009-20) find that dimerization of the B. subtilis ribosome prevents loss of S2 and S3, two essential proteins of the small ribosomal subunit. These proteins are located at the dimer interface but are surface exposed if the ribosome is unable to dimerize. Thus, this study reveals a mechanism by which translation-competent ribosomes are preserved during extended periods of nutrient limitation where de novo ribosome synthesis is limited.