:
Ribosome is primarily regarded as the committing organelle for the translation process. Besides the expansion of
its function from a translational machine for protein synthesis to a regulatory platform for protein quality control, the
activity regulation and recycling of ribosome have been deepened significantly. Recent advances have confirmed a novel
mechanism in the regulation of ribosome activity when a cell encounters adverse conditions. Due to the binding of certain
protein factors onto a ribosome, the structural and functional change of the ribosome inside the cell will take place, thereby
leading to the formation of inactive ribosomes (70S monomer or 100S dimer), or ribosome hibernation. By ribosome
hibernation, the overall protein synthesis rate of a cell could be slowed down. The resistance to adverse conditions or
chemicals of the host cell will be enhanced. In this paper, we discussed the phenomenon, molecular mechanism, and
physiological effect of ribosome hibernation when cells are under stresses. And then, we discussed the resuscitation of a
hibernating ribosome and the role of ribosome hibernation in the treatment of antimicrobial infection.