Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
14:29
Rapid In Vivo Fixation and Isolation of Translational Complexes from Eukaryotic Cells
Published on: December 25, 2021
3.9K
Polysome collapse and RNA condensation fluidize the cytoplasm.
Ying Xie1, Tong Shu2, Tiewei Liu3
1Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Molecular Cell
|July 26, 2024
Summary
Cellular stress causes translation inhibition, leading to mRNA release and the formation of RNA-protein condensates. This process temporarily fluidizes the cytoplasm, aiding cellular stress responses and the formation of quality control bodies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The crowded cellular environment impacts cell physiology.
- Cellular stress commonly inhibits translation, causing polysome collapse and mRNA release.
- Released mRNA forms ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates like stress granules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biophysical changes in the cytoplasm during cellular stress.
- To elucidate the role of RNA condensation in cellular stress responses.
- To understand how cytoplasmic fluidity is modulated during stress.
Main Methods:
- Coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations.
- Observation of polysome collapse and RNA condensation.
- Induction of synthetic RNA condensation using light.
Main Results:
- Polysome collapse and RNA condensation transiently fluidize the cytoplasm.
- Increased mesoscale diffusivity correlates with the formation of quality control bodies (Q-bodies).
- Synthetic RNA condensation also leads to cytoplasmic fluidization.
Conclusions:
- Stress-induced translation inhibition and RNP condensate formation modulate cytoplasmic physical properties.
- Cytoplasmic fluidization facilitates efficient cellular responses to stress.
- This mechanism enhances the formation of quality control bodies for misfolded peptide compartmentalization.
Related Concept Videos
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
13.2K
Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
13.2K
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
7.6K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
7.6K
01:53RNA Stability
33.4K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
33.4K
02:51mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
5.6K
The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.6K
02:11Proteins: From Genes to Degradation
12.1K
Within a biological system, the DNA encodes the RNA, and the nucleotide sequence in the RNA further defines the amino acid sequence in the protein. This is referred to as “The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology” - a term coined by Francis Crick. Central dogma is a firm principle in biology that defines the flow of genetic information within any life form. The two fundamental steps in central dogma are - transcription and translation.
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA...
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA...
12.1K
02:27Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay
10.6K
The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.6K