Characterization of RNA-binding proteins in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm

As critical players in the regulation of gene expression, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play fundamental roles in cellular functions and diseases. In this study, we established an analytical strategy to characterize RBPs from different subcellular regions by combining subcellular fractionation, acidic guanidiniumthiocyanate-phenol-chloroform biphasic extraction, and quantitative mass spectrometry. Using this method, we identified 1775 and 2245 RBPs from the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. The data confirmed a large spectrum of known RBPs, revealed 614 novel ones that have never been reported before, and cataloged their subcellular localizations. Intriguingly, 200 metabolic enzymes from diverse metabolic pathways were observed as RBPs, some of which were further validated through western blotting following UV-mediated crosslinking and biphasic extraction. Furthermore, we characterized 2157 RNA structural information the nature of RNA interactions. Taken together, our data greatly expand the current reservoir of known RBPs and highlight the potential role of RNA-binding in the regulation of cellular metabolism. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study established an analytical strategy to characterize RNA-binding proteins from different subcellular regions, identifying a large number of known and novel RBPs and cataloging their subcellular localizations. The observation of metabolic enzymes as RBPs highlights the potential role of RNA-binding in regulating cellular metabolism.