RNA-binding proteins as key regulators in pulmonary diseases: A review

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are pivotal regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, playing essential roles in the progression of various pulmonary diseases. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of RBPs in pulmonary disease, focusing on their structural domains, regulatory mechanisms, and their involvement in key cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, stability, localization, editing, and translation. These processes directly contribute to the fine-tuning of gene expression and cellular function in response to environmental and pathological cues. In particular, RBPs are crucial in the development of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma, where they modulate disease-related pathways including cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, and immune response. The review further discusses the clinical implications of RBPs, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets and their role in drug resistance mechanisms in pulmonary diseases. By elucidating the multifaceted roles of RBPs, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their contributions to pulmonary disease progression and their therapeutic potential in improving clinical outcomes.