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Zhou HX, Kota D, Qin S, Prasad R. Fundamental Aspects of Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates. Chem Rev 2024; 124:8550-8595. [PMID: 38885177 PMCID: PMC11260227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, formed through phase separation, are upending our understanding in much of molecular, cell, and developmental biology. There is an urgent need to elucidate the physicochemical foundations of the behaviors and properties of biomolecular condensates. Here we aim to fill this need by writing a comprehensive, critical, and accessible review on the fundamental aspects of phase-separated biomolecular condensates. We introduce the relevant theoretical background, present the theoretical basis for the computation and experimental measurement of condensate properties, and give mechanistic interpretations of condensate behaviors and properties in terms of interactions at the molecular and residue levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Sanbo Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
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Scholl A, Liu Y, Seydoux G. Caenorhabditis elegans germ granules accumulate hundreds of low translation mRNAs with no systematic preference for germ cell fate regulators. Development 2024; 151:dev202575. [PMID: 38984542 PMCID: PMC11266749 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
In animals with germ plasm, embryonic germline precursors inherit germ granules, condensates proposed to regulate mRNAs coding for germ cell fate determinants. In Caenorhabditis elegans, mRNAs are recruited to germ granules by MEG-3, a sequence non-specific RNA-binding protein that forms stabilizing interfacial clusters on germ granules. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we confirmed that 441 MEG-3-bound transcripts are distributed in a pattern consistent with enrichment in germ granules. Thirteen are related to transcripts reported in germ granules in Drosophila or Nasonia. The majority, however, are low-translation maternal transcripts required for embryogenesis that are not maintained preferentially in the nascent germline. Granule enrichment raises the concentration of certain transcripts in germ plasm but is not essential to regulate mRNA translation or stability. Our findings suggest that only a minority of germ granule-associated transcripts contribute to germ cell fate in C. elegans and that the vast majority function as non-specific scaffolds for MEG-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyshia Scholl
- HHMI and Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yihong Liu
- HHMI and Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Geraldine Seydoux
- HHMI and Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Pamula MC, Lehmann R. How germ granules promote germ cell fate. Nat Rev Genet 2024:10.1038/s41576-024-00744-8. [PMID: 38890558 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-024-00744-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Germ cells are the only cells in the body capable of giving rise to a new organism, and this totipotency hinges on their ability to assemble membraneless germ granules. These specialized RNA and protein complexes are hallmarks of germ cells throughout their life cycle: as embryonic germ granules in late oocytes and zygotes, Balbiani bodies in immature oocytes, and nuage in maturing gametes. Decades of developmental, genetic and biochemical studies have identified protein and RNA constituents unique to germ granules and have implicated these in germ cell identity, genome integrity and gamete differentiation. Now, emerging research is defining germ granules as biomolecular condensates that achieve high molecular concentrations by phase separation, and it is assigning distinct roles to germ granules during different stages of germline development. This organization of the germ cell cytoplasm into cellular subcompartments seems to be critical not only for the flawless continuity through the germline life cycle within the developing organism but also for the success of the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Schieweck R, Götz M. Pan-cellular organelles and suborganelles-from common functions to cellular diversity? Genes Dev 2024; 38:98-114. [PMID: 38485267 PMCID: PMC10982711 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351337.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Cell diversification is at the base of increasing multicellular organism complexity in phylogeny achieved during ontogeny. However, there are also functions common to all cells, such as cell division, cell migration, translation, endocytosis, exocytosis, etc. Here we revisit the organelles involved in such common functions, reviewing recent evidence of unexpected differences of proteins at these organelles. For instance, centrosomes or mitochondria differ significantly in their protein composition in different, sometimes closely related, cell types. This has relevance for development and disease. Particularly striking is the high amount and diversity of RNA-binding proteins at these and other organelles, which brings us to review the evidence for RNA at different organelles and suborganelles. We include a discussion about (sub)organelles involved in translation, such as the nucleolus and ribosomes, for which unexpected cell type-specific diversity has also been reported. We propose here that the heterogeneity of these organelles and compartments represents a novel mechanism for regulating cell diversity. One reason is that protein functions can be multiplied by their different contributions in distinct organelles, as also exemplified by proteins with moonlighting function. The specialized organelles still perform pan-cellular functions but in a cell type-specific mode, as discussed here for centrosomes, mitochondria, vesicles, and other organelles. These can serve as regulatory hubs for the storage and transport of specific and functionally important regulators. In this way, they can control cell differentiation, plasticity, and survival. We further include examples highlighting the relevance for disease and propose to examine organelles in many more cell types for their possible differences with functional relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Schieweck
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (CNR) Unit at Trento, 38123 Povo, Italy;
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany;
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- SYNERGY, Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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Zheng H, Zhang H. More than a bystander: RNAs specify multifaceted behaviors of liquid-liquid phase-separated biomolecular condensates. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300203. [PMID: 38175843 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells contain a myriad of membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates with distinct compositions of proteins and RNAs. RNP condensates participate in different cellular activities, including RNA storage, mRNA translation or decay, stress response, etc. RNP condensates are assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) driven by multivalent interactions. Transition of RNP condensates into bodies with abnormal material properties, such as solid-like amyloid structures, is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we focus on how RNAs regulate multiple aspects of RNP condensates, such as dynamic assembly and/or disassembly and biophysical properties. RNA properties - including concentration, sequence, length and structure - also determine the phase behaviors of RNP condensates. RNA is also involved in specifying autophagic degradation of RNP condensates. Unraveling the role of RNA in RNPs provides novel insights into pathological accumulation of RNPs in various diseases. This new understanding can potentially be harnessed to develop therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
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Popper B, Bürkle M, Ciccopiedi G, Marchioretto M, Forné I, Imhof A, Straub T, Viero G, Götz M, Schieweck R. Ribosome inactivation regulates translation elongation in neurons. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105648. [PMID: 38219816 PMCID: PMC10869266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity is crucial for adapting to ever-changing stimuli. As a result, cells consistently reshape their translatome, and, consequently, their proteome. The control of translational activity has been thoroughly examined at the stage of translation initiation. However, the regulation of ribosome speed in cells is widely unknown. In this study, we utilized a timed ribosome runoff approach, along with proteomics and transmission electron microscopy, to investigate global translation kinetics in cells. We found that ribosome speeds vary among various cell types, such as astrocytes, induced pluripotent human stem cells, human neural stem cells, and human and rat neurons. Of all cell types studied, mature cortical neurons exhibit the highest rate of translation. This finding is particularly remarkable because mature cortical neurons express the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) at lower levels than other cell types. Neurons solve this conundrum by inactivating a fraction of their ribosomes. As a result, the increase in eEF2 levels leads to a reduction of inactive ribosomes and an enhancement of active ones. Processes that alter the demand for active ribosomes, like neuronal excitation, cause increased inactivation of redundant ribosomes in an eEF2-dependent manner. Our data suggest a novel regulatory mechanism in which neurons dynamically inactivate ribosomes to facilitate translational remodeling. These findings have important implications for developmental brain disorders characterized by, among other things, aberrant translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Popper
- Core Facility Animal Models, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Bürkle
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Giuliana Ciccopiedi
- Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marta Marchioretto
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (CNR) Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Ignasi Forné
- Protein Analysis Unit, Department for Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Imhof
- Protein Analysis Unit, Department for Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Straub
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriella Viero
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (CNR) Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany; SYNERGY, Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rico Schieweck
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Biomedical Center (BMC), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (CNR) Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy.
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