Getting RNA and protein in phase.
Nonmembrane-bound organelles such as RNA granules behave like dynamic droplets, but the molecular details of their assembly are poorly understood. Several recent papers identify structural features that drive granule assembly, shedding light on how phase transitions functionally organize the cell and may lead to pathological protein aggregation.
Princeton University, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, NJ 08544, USA.
Stephanie C
SC
Weber
Clifford P
CP
Brangwynne
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D011506:Proteins; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D012313:RNA