Defining the impact of rRNA processing on nucleolar organization and function

The eukaryotic nucleolus is a highly organized, multilayered structure essential for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing and ribosome assembly. However, how the sequential steps of rRNA maturation, particularly the series of endonucleolytic cleavages, contribute to maintaining nucleolar architecture remains poorly understood. The data shown here led us to the observations that disruption of pre-rRNA processing, especially impaired cleavage of the 5′ external transcribed spacer (5′ETS), profoundly alters nucleolar organization and pointing to broader disruptions in nuclear architecture and gene regulation.