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Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Methods to Classify Cytoplasmic Foci as Mammalian Stress Granules
Published on: May 12, 2017
Nitrate-responsive Sialin2 couples stress granule assembly and clearance to maintain neuronal homeostasis
Xiaoyu Li1, Zichen Cao2, Ou Jiang2
1Laboratory of Oral Health and Homeostatic Medicine, Beijing Stomatological Hospital and Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Department of Endodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China.
Abstract:
Stress granules (SGs) are phase-separated ribonucleoprotein condensates that support cellular adaptation to acute stress, but how extracellular signals coordinate their assembly and recovery-phase clearance remains unclear. Here, we show that nitrate-responsive Sialin2 coordinates SG homeostasis across the stress cycle. During acute stress, Sialin2 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation and co-assembles with Ras GTPase-activating protein SH3-domain-binding protein (G3BP)-centered scaffolds to promote SG formation. During recovery, Sialin2 preserves liquid-like SG dynamics and promotes autophagy-linked clearance. Sialin2 loss delays SG resolution, promotes retention of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked fused in sarcoma (FUS) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) variants, and enhances amyloid precursor protein (APP)-related amyloidogenic output. In an ALS mouse model, nitrate treatment reduces SG-like pathology and neuroinflammation, preserves neuronal integrity, and delays functional decline. Together, these findings define a nitrate-Sialin2 signaling module that couples SG assembly to recovery-phase clearance and links inorganic anion sensing to protection against neurodegeneration.
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