Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein Protein and Its Multifunctionality: From Cytosol to Nucleolus and Back

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Fragile X syndrome is a common inherited intellectual disability.
• It is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene and lack of FMRP.
• FMRP is crucial for neuronal and non-neuronal cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in understanding FMRP interaction networks.
• To focus on FMRP's stress-related functions in cellular processes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific advances.
• Focus on FMRP's roles in stress granule formation, organelle plasticity, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle, and DNA damage response.

Main Results:

• FMRP is a multifunctional protein involved in various subcellular compartments.
• FMRP contains trafficking signals (NLS, NES, NoLS) and RNA/protein binding domains.
• FMRP function is modulated by post-translational modifications like phosphorylation and ubiquitination.

Conclusions:

• FMRP plays a significant role in cellular responses to stress.
• Understanding FMRP networks is key to addressing fragile X syndrome and related disorders.