The Nucleolus in Tumor Pathology

The organelle of a nucleus that takes part in ribosome biogenesis is known as the nucleolus. The effectiveness of ribosome synthesis is regulated by nucleolar function, which is thought to be intimately linked to the nucleolar hypertrophy that is brought about by cell proliferation. In tumor cells, proto-oncogenes and suppressor genes also control ribosome synthesis, and this regulation may have a connection to altered nucleolar structure and function.

Statistical evidence points to nucleolar dysfunction as the cause of aberrant ribosome synthesis. Ribosome changes in both quantity and quality may contribute to the pathophysiology of cancer. For instance, in chronic liver illness brought on by viral infection, which activates RNA polymerase I and III, nucleolar functional up-regulation may be related to neoplastic transformation.