Unconventional RNA‐binding proteins: an uncharted zone in RNA biology

Abstract

The RNA-binding proteins play essential roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. While hundreds of RNA-binding proteins can be predicted computationally, the recent introduction of proteome-wide approaches has dramatically expanded the repertoire of proteins interacting with RNA. Besides canonical RNA-binding proteins that contain characteristic RNA-binding domains, many proteins that lack such domains but have other well-characterized cellular functions were identified; including metabolic enzymes, heat shock proteins, kinases, as well as transcription factors and chromatin-associated proteins. In the context of these recently published RNA-protein interactome datasets obtained from yeast, nematodes, flies, plants and mammalian cells, we discuss examples for seemingly evolutionary conserved 'unconventional' RNA-binding proteins that act in central carbon metabolism, stress response or regulation of transcription.

Impact of RNA–Protein Interaction Modes on Translation Control: The Versatile Multidomain Protein Gemin5

“…In recent years, several methods have been developed to capture RNA–protein interactions in the cellular environment, allowing the study of RNP complexes assembled in response to physiological challenges. The advances in genomics and proteomics approaches currently used to identify the targets bound to a given protein or RNA, respectively, yielded a massive increase in RBP catalogues and the RNA counterparts . The advent of potent methodologies allowed the characterization of RBDs that remained undetected in earlier works.…”

“…The advances in genomics and proteomics approaches currently used to identify the targets bound to a given protein or RNA, respectively, yielded a massive increase in RBP catalogues and the RNA counterparts. [22][23][24] The advent of potent methodologies allowed the characterization of RBDs that remained undetected in earlier works. Representative examples of novel RBDs are the low-affinity RNA-binding motifs present in metabolism-related proteins, [25] as well as the WD40 domains previously thought to provide protein-protein platforms, present in the ribosomal RNA processing protein 9 (Rrp-9), the eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis 1, or Gemin5.…”

Circular RNAs from BOULE play conserved roles in protection against stress-induced fertility decline

“…HSPs can act as protein folding catalysts and mediate protein complex formation ( 27 – 29 , 36 , 39 , 40 ). The ability of HSPs to act as RNA binding proteins is documented but less appreciated in the literature ( 41 , 42 ). Specific members of all subclasses of HSPs have been found to interact with mRNAs or noncoding RNAs ( 31 , 42 ).…”

Translational Regulation of Pmt1 and Pmt2 by Bfr1 Affects Unfolded Protein O-Mannosylation

“…P-bodies are dynamic ribonucleoprotein complexes where mRNA storage, translational repression or degradation occurs [74]. Recent RNA binding studies that imply the presence of far more RNA binding domains than known to date [75] in combination with multiple approaches that identify hundreds of different mRNAs interacting with Bfr1 [41,42,76], suggest a role for Bfr1 as an RNA binding protein and translational regulator itself.…”