The ribosomal mutation caused decreased translation in eight of the 39 murine Hox genes, and suggests that ribosomes can regulate gene expression. Barna screened the Ts mice for genetic abnormalities.

This mutation results in the production of toxic ... "the cell accumulates an excess of orphan ribosomal proteins, incapable of forming ribosomes," explains Fernández Capetillo.

The ribosome has a small and a large subunit and is a complex molecule composed of several ribosomal RNA molecules and a number of proteins. Translation of an mRNA molecule by the ribosome occurs ...