Emerging Roles for Intermolecular RNA-RNA Interactions in RNP Assemblies

Eukaryotic cells contain large assemblies of RNA and protein, referred to as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, which include cytoplasmic P-bodies, stress granules, and neuronal and germinal granules, as well as nuclear paraspeckles, Cajal bodies, and RNA foci formed from repeat expansion RNAs. Recent evidence argues that intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions play a role in forming and determining the composition of certain RNP granules. We hypothesize that intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions are favored in cells yet are limited by RNA-binding proteins, helicases, and ribosomes, thereby allowing normal RNA function. An over-abundance of intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions may be toxic since perturbations that increase RNA-RNA interactions such as long repeat expansion RNAs, arginine-containing dipeptide repeat polypeptides, and sequestration or loss of abundant RNA-binding proteins can contribute to degenerative diseases.