Control of condensates dictates nucleolar architecture

Review Cell Biology

The nucleolus as a multiphase liquid condensate

Denis L. J. Lafontaine et al.

Summary: The nucleolus is a membraneless organelle involved in ribonucleoprotein assembly, with recent studies suggesting that it forms as a biomolecular condensate via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Insights from LLPS studies are enhancing our understanding of the nucleolar structure-function relationship.

NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

RNA-Mediated Feedback Control of Transcriptional Condensates

Jonathan E. Henninger et al.

Summary: This study discusses the mechanisms of feedback control in regulating biological processes, especially in transcription regulation. Research indicates that RNA in transcription initiation promotes condensate formation, while RNA produced during elongation stimulates condensate dissolution. Therefore, transcriptional regulation involves a feedback mechanism where transcribed RNA both stimulates and arrests the process.

CELL (2021)

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Review Cell Biology

Biomolecular condensates at the nexus of cellular stress, protein aggregation disease and ageing

Simon Alberti et al.

Summary: Biomolecular condensates, formed through liquid-liquid phase separation in a tightly regulated manner, have fundamental roles in cellular organization and physiology. Recent studies provide insights into how cellular stress, ageing-related loss of homeostasis, and a decline in protein quality control may contribute to the formation of aberrant, disease-causing condensates.

NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Paraspeckles are constructed as block copolymer micelles

Tomohiro Yamazaki et al.

Summary: Paraspeckles are assembled by NEAT1_2 architectural long noncoding RNAs as block copolymer micelles through a type of microphase separation called micellization. This study provides an experiment-based theoretical framework demonstrating that ribonucleoprotein complexes can act as block copolymers to form RNA-scaffolding biomolecular condensates with optimal sizes and structures in cells.

EMBO JOURNAL (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

NORAD-induced Pumilio phase separation is required for genome stability

Mahmoud M. Elguindy et al.

Summary: Liquid-liquid phase separation is a key mechanism through which long noncoding RNA controls RNA-binding proteins and maintains genomic stability in mammalian cells. The study shows that RNA-driven phase separation competitively sequesters RNA-binding proteins by nucleating the formation of phase-separated condensates, influencing RBP activity and genome maintenance. The repetitive sequence architecture of lncRNAs suggests that phase separation may be a widely used mechanism of lncRNA-mediated regulation.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

lncRNA SLERT controls phase separation of FC/DFCs to facilitate Pol I transcription

Man Wu et al.

Summary: In this study, it was found that individual spherical FC/DFC units in human cells are coated by DDX21, and the long noncoding RNA SLERT promotes DDX21 to adopt a closed conformation and form loose clusters, impacting ribosomal RNA production.

SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences