Phase Separation Driven by Dynamic Interactions in the N-Terminal Intrinsically Disordered Region of the DEAD-Box RNA Helicase DDX3X - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #RNA helicase
- #intrinsically disordered region
- #phase separation
- Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is crucial for forming membraneless organelles in cells, with DDX3X, a DEAD-box RNA helicase, playing a key regulatory role in RNA-containing organelles.
- The study investigates the molecular mechanisms of DDX3X's RNA-driven LLPS, focusing on interactions between its N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (N-IDR) and G-quadruplex (GQ) RNA, which promotes LLPS.
- Using NMR spectroscopy, hotspot regions in the N-IDR were identified, involving charged stretches and aromatic residues that drive LLPS via electrostatic and π-interactions.
- GQ RNA binding strengthens intermolecular interactions, particularly through arginine-rich segments of the N-IDR, offering insights into RNA-driven LLPS mechanisms.
- The research highlights functional implications of GQ-specific granule formation under stress and the potential role of DDX3X-GQ RNA interplay in cellular translational regulation.