Regulation of RNA by Phase Separation

Membraneless organelles are transient supramolecular condensates of different proteins, nucleic acids and other biomolecules. They can be assembled by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process in which a molecule condenses into multiple coexisting liquid phases. Many of the membraneless organelles identified to date contain RNA, which undergoes phase separation together with the corresponding RNA-binding proteins or alone. The sequence, or other characteristics of RNA as an important player in LLPS can influence the formation, solubility, and biophysical properties of biomolecular condensates. In addition, phase separation is involved in RNA transcription, splicing, processing, quality control, translation, and functional regulation. The regulation of interconnections between LLPS and RNA ensures tight control of RNA-related cellular functions.

Fig. 1. Phase separation mediates RNA transcriptional regulation. (Guo Q, et al., 2021)

Customized Services

Phase separation has a bidirectional regulatory relationship with RNA. We provide RNA-driven phase separation condensates formation services to analyze the effect of RNA sequence and concentration on biomolecular condensates. Here, our scientists focus on analyzing the role of LLPS in the life of RNA, from its transcription to its function. CD BioSciences offers comprehensive strategies to analyze the regulation of phase separation in RNA.

• The Role of Phase Separation in RNA Transcription
  Phase separation plays an important regulatory role in the regulation of mRNA transcription. We combine computational modeling and in vitro reconstruction to analyze the transcriptional regulation of RNA by transcription factors, RNA polymerases, assembly of super-enhancer regions and spatial structure affecting chromatin through phase separation.
• The Role of Phase Separation in RNA Localization
  The distribution of RNA in cells is asymmetric in time and space. We analyze phase-separated droplet-enriched RNA sites to determine RNA localization in different subcellular structures. In addition, we explore phase separation-mediated directional transport processes to analyze how primary rRNA is rapidly translocated to dense protofibril components (DFCs) for subsequent processing.
• The Role of Phase Separation in RNA Metabolism
  The metabolic phase of RNA is also accompanied by phase separation. We provide genomic approaches to analyze the silencing of target genes by two core proteins of the microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC), Argonaute2 and TNRC6B, to help our clients understand the role of protein phase separation in RNA metabolism.

LLPS is a widely adopted mechanism in RNA life. By using our services, you can not only analyze the role phase separation plays in many RNA-related processes, but also discover new functions of RNA. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.