RNA binding protein: coordinated expression between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in tumors

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Metabolism

Background:

• Mitochondria possess dual genomes (nuclear and mitochondrial DNA) essential for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).
• Coordinated translation of these genomes dictates tumor cell metabolic plasticity.
• RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of mRNA fate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of RBPs in coordinating nuclear and mitochondrial translation.
• To highlight how RBPs integrate signals to regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism in cancer.
• To explore the function of RBPs in tumor cell adaptation and survival.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on RNA-binding proteins, mitochondrial gene expression, and cancer metabolism.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which RBPs influence mRNA fate and protein translation.
• Focus on the role of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in RBP-mediated regulation.

Main Results:

• RBPs rapidly reshape the mitochondrial proteome under stress.
• RBPs balance cytoplasmic and mitochondrial translation to adjust respiratory capacity.
• RBPs utilize LLPS to integrate nuclear-mitochondrial signals for coordinated translation.

Conclusions:

• RBPs are critical regulators of mitochondrial function and tumor cell metabolism.
• LLPS serves as a platform for RBPs to control mitochondrial translation and energy production.
• RBP-mediated regulation promotes tumor cell adaptation, development, and survival.