Translational Fidelity Maintained by ZNF598-Dependent Ribosome Resolution Enables Cellular Adaptation to High Energy Demand

Abstract

Cellular adaptation to stress evoked by high energy demand requires tight coordination between transcriptional programs, protein synthesis, and organelle function. In many physiological contexts, metabolic remodeling depends on increased mitochondrial capacity and activity, placing high demands on the translational machinery. Beige and brown adipocytes, which undergo rapid mitochondrial expansion and activation in response to physiological cues, provide a powerful model to study how cells adapt their translational output to meet increased metabolic demand. How translational fidelity is maintained, and stress-associated conflicts in protein synthesis are resolved during such adaptive processes, remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify ZNF598 as a key factor that resolves translation stress caused by ribosome collisions during metabolic adaptation of adipocytes. We show that diverse physiological stimuli, including hormonal signaling, environmental challenges, and dietary changes, induce ZNF598 and associated enzymes in metabolically active cells. ZNF598 is required for efficient mitochondrial biogenesis and function, supporting adaptive increases in respiration and energy expenditure. Loss of ZNF598 compromises these adaptive responses and leads to metabolic dysfunction, whereas enhancement of ZNF598 activity improves cellular and organismal metabolic flexibility. Together, these findings indicate that distal steps of the translational machinery are a rate-limiting factor for adaptation to increased energy demand.