A hallmark of eukaryotic cells is the ability to compartmentalize essential reactions into membrane-bound and membrane-less organelles. Membrane-bound organelles work together through transport vesicles and membrane-to-membrane organelle contact sites to traffic cargo and distribute lipids throughout the cell. Conversely, many membrane-less organelles are condensates of messenger RNAs and proteins (RNPs), which participate throughout the mRNA life cycle. Our recent work uncovered that these two classes of organelles – membranous and membrane-less – join forces to potentially shunt mRNAs between the endoplasmic reticulum and RNP condensates involved in mRNA silencing, degradation and sequestration in response to stress. We use two model RNP condensates, processing (P)-bodies and stress granules, to dissect the relationships between the endoplasmic reticulum and RNP condensate biogenesis, composition, and disassembly.
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Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
