The power of AAA-ATPases on the road of pre-60S ribosome maturation - Molecular machines that strip pre-ribosomal particles

► Structural and functional properties of AAA-ATPases in ribosome biogenesis are summarized. ► The AAA-ATPases Rea1, Rix7 and Drg1 are essential for ribosome biogenesis in yeast. ► Rix7 and Drg1 are related to Cdc48, while Rea1 shares similarity to motor protein dynein. ► Rea1, Rix7 and Drg1 promote the release of biogenesis factors from nucleolar, nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic pre-60S intermediates. ► The release of maturation factors by AAA-ATPases is critical for downstream maturation of pre-60S particles.