Journal: Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology
This publication reviews the critical role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in post-transcriptional gene regulation, covering processes such as RNA modification, splicing, polyadenylation, localization, translation, and decay.
It highlights how dysregulation of RBPs is linked to various diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders.
The review emphasizes emerging evidence that small biomolecules (SBMs) — including sugars, nucleotides, metabolites like S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and NAD(P)H, and drugs — can directly bind RBPs and influence their structure, localization, and RNA-binding activity.
These interactions:
- Connect RBP regulation with cellular metabolism
- Impact functions such as condensate formation and RNA processing
The article also discusses recent advances in identifying SBM-RBP interactions and the innovative techniques driving this research.
It emphasizes the therapeutic potential of targeting these interactions in disease.