Selectivity of ribophagy and autophagy pathways

Determine the degree of selectivity of ribophagy and autophagy pathways in eukaryotic cells by quantifying whether and to what extent these processes preferentially target ribosomes relative to other cellular components, so that parameters governing ribosome active degradation (the control rate U and the conversion factor c_U) in the resource–ribosome dynamical model of protein production can be empirically parameterized and validated.

Background

The paper introduces a dynamical model of protein production that explicitly includes ribosome biogenesis (controlled by V) and active ribosome degradation via ribophagy (controlled by U), with resource recycling quantified by c_U. The authors analyze stability, convergence, and optimal control strategies under periodic nutrient intake.

Accurate biological parameterization of the control U (ribosome active degradation rate) and c_U (recycling efficiency) depends on understanding whether ribophagy and broader autophagy mechanisms selectively target ribosomes or act non-selectively. The authors note that current experimental knowledge does not establish this selectivity, which directly impacts how the model should be calibrated and interpreted.