Life fundamentally relies on the precise control of gene expression, necessitating the orderly and efficient processing of diverse RNA molecules. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs), enveloped in a dynamically evolving coat of passenger proteins, transit from their transcription in the nucleus to translation in the cytoplasm and ultimately decay. The importance of mRNA research came to the forefront with the rapid emergence of mRNA-based vaccines in response to the COVID pandemic. Similarly, ribosomal rRNAs migrate through the nucleolus where they gradually encounter ribosomal proteins to assemble functional ribosomes in the cytoplasm. However, our understanding of the intricate processes governing this spatiotemporally orchestrated RNA flux are still limited.
Intriguingly, numerous RNA processing events are associated with membraneless organelles formed by biomolecular condensation, such as stress granules (for mRNA) or the nucleolus (for rRNA). However, the functional role of condensates in RNA processing remains elusive. We have discovered that the family of DEAD-box ATPases (DDXs) operates as master regulators of RNA-containing membraneless organelles, spanning the evolutionary spectrum from bacteria to humans. We postulate that DDXs employ their condensation and ATPase activities to govern condensate dynamics, and speculate that they thereby influence the flow and processing of RNA molecules in the cell.
In this project, we have three main objectives. First, we want to characterize the role of candidate DDXs in governing the flux of mRNA molecules, and utilize specific DDX mutants as unique tool to halt RNA flux and elucidate changes in passenger protein composition. Furthermore, we aim to dissect how DDXs facilitate the efficient flow of rRNA during ribosome assembly and concomitantly influence dynamics of the nucleolar condensate environment. And third, we want to unravel the functional role of DDX condensates as biomolecular filters, selectively enriching or excluding proteins, and how this selectivity contributes to the dynamic remodeling of the RNA-protein coat and the directional flow of RNA.
Our research will provide key novel insight into our understanding of RNA processing and uncover novel layers of gene expression regulation.
