Ishiguro et al. identify stereoselective ribose-backbone methylations in the peptidyl-transferase center of E. coli ribosomes, installed by the cobalamin-dependent enzyme RlmX. These methylations, together with ho5C2501, are specifically induced under hypoxia. The hypoxia-induced modifications activate ribosomes, enhancing translational capacity and thereby promoting bacterial fitness in anaerobic conditions.

Patchett et al. describe how the processing of ubiquitin-fused human ribosomal proteins can be regulated by both ubiquitin E3 ligases and DUBs to ensure proper ribosome function. Their findings show that the UFD pathway is critical for regulating the stability of ubiquitin-fused ribosomal proteins.

Genome inheritance during cell divisions relies on replicated sister DNAs being connected by cohesin rings. Minamino et al. reconstitute sister chromatid cohesion establishment during DNA replication using purified budding yeast proteins. The experiments yield molecular insight into more than one way in which sister chromatid cohesion can be built.