About this Research Topic
RNA-protein complexes, commonly referred to as ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), play critical roles in cellular function. Notably, RNPs are vital components of the pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA translation and telomerere maintenance machineries. Additionally, the RNA components of many RNPs are extensively modified and these modifications can contribute to RNP activity. Moreover, these RNA modifications are either catalyzed by other RNP complexes that utilize guide RNAs for target recognition, or by stand-alone (protein-only) enzyme complexes. Cell biological studies exploring RNP formation and function often focus on subnuclear structures (e.g. nucleoli, speckles and Cajal bodies) that are thought to facilitate de novo RNP assembly as well as recycling or reassembly of post-reaction RNP byproducts.
Although much has been learned, additional studies of RNP biogenesis are needed to uncover the mechanisms used in various cell types, developmental stages, and in normal versus disease states. Most important, the roles of subnuclear domains in the formation of RNPs in various conditions requires further elucidation. Given the importance of the RNA component to overall RNP function, a systematic analysis of the roles of various RNA modifications in RNP activity is also required. Development of biosensors that report on the assembly status of a given RNP or separation-of-function mutations that trap RNPs in specific conformations or modification states will be important in this regard. Genetic, genomic, biochemical and biophysical studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of RNP formation in the aforementioned contexts are needed.
This research topic is centered on all aspects of RNP formation, function, regeneration, and regulation. RNPs include, but are not necessarily limited to, ribosomes, spliceosomes, small nuclear RNPs (snRNP), small nucleolar RNPs(snoRNPs), small Cajal body-specific RNPs (scaRNPs), and telomerase. Both primary research manuscripts and review manuscripts will be considered. Of special interest will be studies that address the role of differential RNA modification in RNP activity, but any novel insight into RNP biogenesis will be considered.
Although much has been learned, additional studies of RNP biogenesis are needed to uncover the mechanisms used in various cell types, developmental stages, and in normal versus disease states. Most important, the roles of subnuclear domains in the formation of RNPs in various conditions requires further elucidation. Given the importance of the RNA component to overall RNP function, a systematic analysis of the roles of various RNA modifications in RNP activity is also required. Development of biosensors that report on the assembly status of a given RNP or separation-of-function mutations that trap RNPs in specific conformations or modification states will be important in this regard. Genetic, genomic, biochemical and biophysical studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of RNP formation in the aforementioned contexts are needed.
This research topic is centered on all aspects of RNP formation, function, regeneration, and regulation. RNPs include, but are not necessarily limited to, ribosomes, spliceosomes, small nuclear RNPs (snRNP), small nucleolar RNPs(snoRNPs), small Cajal body-specific RNPs (scaRNPs), and telomerase. Both primary research manuscripts and review manuscripts will be considered. Of special interest will be studies that address the role of differential RNA modification in RNP activity, but any novel insight into RNP biogenesis will be considered.
Keywords: ribosome, spliceosome, telomerase, small nulcear ribonucleoprotein, small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein
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