RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Modulation of RNA condensation by the DEAD-box protein eIF4A
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 689802
DO 10.1101/689802
A1 Devin Tauber
A1 Gabriel Tauber
A1 Anthony Khong
A1 Briana Van Treeck
A1 Jerry Pelletier
A1 Roy Parker
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/11/07/689802.abstract
AB Stress granules are condensates of non-translating mRNAs and proteins involved in the stress response and neurodegenerative diseases. Stress granules form in part through intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions, although the process of RNA condensation is poorly understood. In vitro, we demonstrate that RNA is effectively recruited to the surfaces of RNA or RNP condensates. We demonstrate that the DEAD-box protein eIF4A reduces RNA condensation in vitro and limits stress granule formation in cells. This defines a purpose for eIF4A to limit intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions in cells, thereby allowing for proper RNP function. These results establish an important role for DEAD-box proteins as ATP-dependent RNA chaperones that can limit the intermolecular condensation and entanglement of RNA, analogous to the function of proteins like HSP70 in combatting protein aggregates.eTOC Blurb Stress granules are formed in part by the process of RNA condensation, which is mediated by and promotes trans RNA-RNA interactions. The essential DEAD-box protein and translation initiation factor eIF4A limits stress granule formation by reducing RNA condensation through its function as an ATP-dependent RNA binding protein, behaving analogously to how protein chaperones like HSP70 combat protein aggregates.HighlightsRNA condensates promote intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions at their surfaceseIF4A limits the recruitment of RNAs to stress granules in cellseIF4A reduces the nucleation of stress granules in cellsRecombinant eIF4A1 inhibits the condensation of RNA in vitro in an ATP-dependent manner