Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
10:53
Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution
Published on: January 16, 2017
9.2K
Selective RNA sequestration in biomolecular condensates directs cell fate transitions
Patrizia Pessina1,2,3,4, Mika Nevo5,6,7, Junchao Shi8
1Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 14, 2025
Summary
Biomolecular condensates, like P-bodies, control gene expression and cell fate by sequestering specific RNAs. Manipulating these RNA condensates enhances stem cell pluripotency and germ cell development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates regulate gene expression via RNA processing and translation.
- The role of RNA condensates in cell fate decisions is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of RNA condensates (P-bodies) in cell fate specification across vertebrate development.
- To understand the mechanisms of RNA sequestration within P-bodies and their impact on cell fate.
Main Methods:
- Profiling of coding and non-coding transcriptomes within P-bodies from diverse developmental contexts.
- Investigating the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and AGO2 in RNA sequestration.
- Perturbing P-body assembly and miRNA activity.
Main Results:
- Identified conserved, cell type-specific RNA sequestration in P-bodies, enriched for translationally repressed transcripts.
- Demonstrated that miRNAs direct selective RNA sequestration into P-bodies.
- Showed that modulating P-body assembly or miRNA activity enhances stem cell totipotency and germ cell programming.
Conclusions:
- Established a direct link between biomolecular condensates and cell fate decisions in vertebrates.
- Provided a framework for using condensate biology to expand clinically relevant cell populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
1.0K
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.0K
01:29Translational Regulation
104
Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
104
01:53RNA Stability
33.9K
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...
33.9K
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
17.0K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
17.0K
01:56Riboswitches
8.6K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
8.6K
01:23Types of RNA
65.1K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
65.1K