Formation, function, and pathology of RNP granules

Cell. 2023 Oct 26;186(22):4737-4756. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.006.

Abstract

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are diverse membrane-less organelles that form through multivalent RNA-RNA, RNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions between RNPs. RNP granules are implicated in many aspects of RNA physiology, but in most cases their functions are poorly understood. RNP granules can be described through four key principles. First, RNP granules often arise because of the large size, high localized concentrations, and multivalent interactions of RNPs. Second, cells regulate RNP granule formation by multiple mechanisms including posttranslational modifications, protein chaperones, and RNA chaperones. Third, RNP granules impact cell physiology in multiple manners. Finally, dysregulation of RNP granules contributes to human diseases. Outstanding issues in the field remain, including determining the scale and molecular mechanisms of RNP granule function and how granule dysfunction contributes to human disease.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus Structures* / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus Structures* / pathology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules* / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Granules* / pathology
  • Cytoplasmic Ribonucleoprotein Granules
  • Humans
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RNA / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • RNA