The cellular landscape of druggable RNA-binding proteins

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in every step of RNA metabolism, from RNA processing and modification to translation and decay, and are also important for the function of non-coding RNAs. As such, RBPs are crucial in shaping cell identity and are central to the development of numerous diseases. Over the past decade, systematic efforts to explore the RNA interactome have expanded the RBP census as well as the landscape of potentially therapeutically targetable RBPs. More recently, certain RBPs have been shown to be present on the cell surface with cell-type and disease-associated specificities. These cell surface RBPs could potentially serve as biomarkers and immunotherapy targets in a variety of diseases. Here, we summarize established intracellular roles for RBPs, as well as their connections to disease with an emphasis on cancer. Moreover, we review the nascent field of cell surface RBPs and describe strategies to harness the cell surface localization of RBPs for the design and development of novel immunotherapeutic modalities.