Modulation of RNA Condensation by the DEAD-Box Protein eIF4A

Publication date: Available online 9 January 2020Source: CellAuthor(s): Devin Tauber, Gabriel Tauber, Anthony Khong, Briana Van Treeck, Jerry Pelletier, Roy ParkerSummaryStress granules are condensates of non-translating mRNAs and proteins involved in the stress response and neurodegenerative diseases. Stress granules form in part through intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions, and to better understand how RNA-based condensation occurs, we demonstrate that RNA is effectively recruited to the surfaces of RNA or RNP condensates in vitro. We demonstrate that, through ATP-dependent RNA binding, the DEAD-box protein eIF4A reduces RNA condensation in vitro and limits stress granule formation in cells. This defines a function for eIF4A to limit intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions in cells. These results establish an important role for eIF4A, and potentially other DEAD-box proteins, as ATP-dependent RNA chaperones that limit the condensation of RNA, analogous to the function of proteins like HSP70 in combatting protein aggregates.Graphical Abstract

Source: Cell - January 11, 2020 Category: Cytology Source Type: research