Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
08:02
Author Spotlight: Developing Synthetic Cells from Programmable Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures
Published on: May 31, 2024
903
Immiscible proteins compete for RNA binding to order condensate layers
Wilton T Snead1,2, Mary K Skillicorn3,4, Krishna Shrinivas3,4
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.
Summary
Nuclear paraspeckles organize via competitive RNA binding. Core proteins like FUS and NONO bind shell-associated NEAT1 RNA, challenging previous models and revealing principles of biomolecular condensate organization.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates compartmentalize cellular functions.
- Many condensates feature distinct internal subdomains.
- Understanding the rules governing condensate organization is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the assembly logic of nuclear paraspeckles.
- To determine how lncRNA NEAT1 scaffolds paraspeckle subdomains.
- To elucidate the roles of FUS, NONO, and TDP-43 in paraspeckle organization.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-protein interactions.
- Biochemical experiments to study protein binding preferences.
- Physics-based simulations of condensate assembly.
Main Results:
- Core proteins FUS and NONO preferentially bind shell-associated NEAT1 domains, contrary to prevailing models.
- The shell protein TDP-43 forms surfactant-like layers around core protein condensates.
- Competitive RNA binding and protein immiscibility drive paraspeckle layer formation.
Conclusions:
- Paraspeckle organization is governed by competitive binding of core proteins to specific NEAT1 RNA domains.
- Subcondensate organization can emerge from a balance of collaborative and competitive interactions.
- This study redefines the understanding of lncRNA-mediated biomolecular condensate assembly.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Nucleic Acid Structure
7.1K
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA...
DNA Structure
DNA...
7.1K
01:23RNA Interference
26.4K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
26.4K
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
01:26Membrane Fluidity
12.0K
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
12.0K
02:43Nucleic Acids
45.2K
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes,...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes,...
45.2K
02:13Cooperative Binding of Transcription Regulators
6.5K
Transcriptional regulators bind to specific cis-regulatory sequences in the DNA to regulate gene transcription. These cis-regulatory sequences are very short, usually less than ten nucleotide pairs in length. The short length means that there is a high probability of the exact same sequence randomly occurring throughout the genome. Since regulators can also bind to groups of similar sequences, this further increases the chances of random binding. Transcriptional regulators form...
6.5K