Ribosomederived

Ribosome-derived refers to biomolecules produced through translation by the ribosome, the cellular machinery that reads messenger RNA to synthesize polypeptides. This broad category encompasses most cellular proteins and a substantial subset of small peptides that are produced directly from ribosomal templates.

A major class within ribosome-derived peptides is RiPPs—ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. RiPPs are encoded by genes as precursor peptides that are subsequently modified by enzymes to yield mature products with diverse structures and biological activities. lantibiotics, such as nisin, are well-known RiPPs with antimicrobial properties. In addition, ribosome-derived products include micropeptides encoded by short open reading frames, including some previously annotated as noncoding RNAs, which can have regulatory or signaling roles.

Ribosome-derived molecules are contrasted with non-ribosomal peptides, which are assembled by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and often contain nonstandard amino acids or unusual linkages. The ribosome-based origin imposes constraints on sequence and composition but is expanded through post-translational modifications, which create a wide range of mature products from a single gene-encoded precursor.

Applications of research into ribosome-derived products span proteomics, functional genomics, and biotechnology. Understanding these molecules supports peptide therapeutics, vaccine design, and synthetic biology approaches that reprogram precursor peptides and modifying enzymes to yield new bioactive compounds.