Cargando…

RNA granules: functional compartments or incidental condensates?

RNA granules are mesoscale assemblies that form in the absence of limiting membranes. RNA granules contain factors for RNA biogenesis and turnover and are often assumed to represent specialized compartments for RNA biochemistry. Recent evidence suggests that RNA granules assemble by phase separation...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Putnam, Andrea, Thomas, Laura, Seydoux, Geraldine
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10270194/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37137715
http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gad.350518.123
Descripción
Sumario:RNA granules are mesoscale assemblies that form in the absence of limiting membranes. RNA granules contain factors for RNA biogenesis and turnover and are often assumed to represent specialized compartments for RNA biochemistry. Recent evidence suggests that RNA granules assemble by phase separation of subsoluble ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that partially demix from the cytoplasm or nucleoplasm. We explore the possibility that some RNA granules are nonessential condensation by-products that arise when RNP complexes exceed their solubility limit as a consequence of cellular activity, stress, or aging. We describe the use of evolutionary and mutational analyses and single-molecule techniques to distinguish functional RNA granules from “incidental condensates.”