Halting translation by the letter with sequence-selective small molecules.

Sequence-selective small molecules can precisely halt translation by targeting specific RNA or peptide sequences in eukaryotic cells.

• Why it matters: Understanding how to selectively modulate translation is crucial for developing targeted therapies and dissecting the complex mechanisms of protein synthesis, which are fundamental to cellular function and disease.
• What they did: The review summarizes recent discoveries of sequence-specific translation modulators in eukaryotes, highlighting advanced sequencing and structural techniques that facilitated their identification and characterization.
• The result: These findings open new avenues for controlling protein expression with high specificity, enabling potential therapeutic strategies and deeper insights into translation regulation.