Drops in the cell ocean: new roles for non-coding RNAs in liquid–liquid phase separation

Abstract

Many types of membraneless organelles and related substructures occur in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells, providing the essential framework for regulating innumerable biological activities. Fundamentally, these consist of RNA–protein (RNP) condensates formed by the process of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). A salient attribute of these structures is their dynamic nature, a characteristic feature which dovetails with their essential roles in signal transduction and stress responses. In this regard, there is increasing evidence that non-coding RNAs serve as catalysts for the formation of LLPS structures. In this review, we summarize the current research in this field, focusing on how microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs contribute to the regulation of phase separation in different LLPS structures. In concert with this approach, we also shed new light onto the increasingly apparent role that phase separation plays in disease, particularly cancer. Finally, we lay out the challenges for this research and project how a deeper understanding of RNA-driven phase separation could help advance disease diagnosis and treatment.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(81820108021)