Membraneless organelles have recently emerged as important players in cellular disease and physiology. Membraneless organelles are generated by the physical phenomenon of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that gives rise to extremely dynamic molecular condensates that have different biological functions. Proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular components segregate during LLPS, resulting in the formation of distinct, liquid-like domains inside the cell. This segregation is the result of the summation of small interactions involving diverse DNA- or RNA-binding proteins, which display a combination of canonical binding domains and more unstructured, disordered domains, and of specific sequence motifs and structures of nucleic acids. In particular, it has been shown that a common characteristic of proteins involved in LLPS phenomena is the presence of Intrinsically Disordered Regions; thus, those domains are essential for the establishment of the network of interactions that is strong enough to keep the condensate together, but that also enables quick and dynamic exchange with the surrounding environment.
This process is essential for the compartmentalization of cellular functions, making it easier to precisely organize and control a variety of biochemical reactions, both in space and time. The dynamism of membraneless organelles is one of their distinguishing features. Thanks to their capacity to quickly assemble and disassemble, they have a remarkable functional potential that enables them to successfully respond to a variety of cellular stimuli.
Membraneless organelles have recently attracted increased attention in the field of cell and molecular biology, because of their implications in various disease states. Both in physiological circumstances and in contexts of pathological disorders, these organelles perform crucial functions throughout a wide range of cellular operations. For instance, the nucleolus is involved in orchestrating the complex procedure of ribosome assembly. Moreover, cells can generate stress granules, which constitute assemblies of RNA binding proteins, ribosome subunits and stalled mRNAs after the general arrest of protein translation, in response to cellular stress or viral infections. Another example of membraneless organelles is constituted by P-bodies, which play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression and the upkeep of mRNA quality control for the RNA metabolism machinery.
Dysfunctional condensates have the capacity to interfere with protein localisation, signal transduction, and gene expression, ultimately contributing to the emergence of diseases including cancer and metastasis. Additionally, abnormalities in membraneless organelles have been linked to a number of diseases, such as metabolic disorders and neurological illnesses like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
This Research Topic seeks to understand the complex molecular processes underlying the formation and functionality of membraneless organelles as it brings promising opportunities for expanding our knowledge of disease mechanisms, and the creation of ground-breaking treatment approaches. We are extending an invitation to researchers to submit original research articles, systematic review articles, review articles, mini-review articles, perspective articles, brief research report articles and general commentary articles.
Our understanding of cellular biology will continue to grow as research in this quickly developing area reveals fresh perspectives on the intricate world of membraneless organelles.
Keywords:
membraneless organelles, RNA, granules, protein aggregation diseases, phase separation
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Membraneless organelles have recently emerged as important players in cellular disease and physiology. Membraneless organelles are generated by the physical phenomenon of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that gives rise to extremely dynamic molecular condensates that have different biological functions. Proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular components segregate during LLPS, resulting in the formation of distinct, liquid-like domains inside the cell. This segregation is the result of the summation of small interactions involving diverse DNA- or RNA-binding proteins, which display a combination of canonical binding domains and more unstructured, disordered domains, and of specific sequence motifs and structures of nucleic acids. In particular, it has been shown that a common characteristic of proteins involved in LLPS phenomena is the presence of Intrinsically Disordered Regions; thus, those domains are essential for the establishment of the network of interactions that is strong enough to keep the condensate together, but that also enables quick and dynamic exchange with the surrounding environment.
This process is essential for the compartmentalization of cellular functions, making it easier to precisely organize and control a variety of biochemical reactions, both in space and time. The dynamism of membraneless organelles is one of their distinguishing features. Thanks to their capacity to quickly assemble and disassemble, they have a remarkable functional potential that enables them to successfully respond to a variety of cellular stimuli.
Membraneless organelles have recently attracted increased attention in the field of cell and molecular biology, because of their implications in various disease states. Both in physiological circumstances and in contexts of pathological disorders, these organelles perform crucial functions throughout a wide range of cellular operations. For instance, the nucleolus is involved in orchestrating the complex procedure of ribosome assembly. Moreover, cells can generate stress granules, which constitute assemblies of RNA binding proteins, ribosome subunits and stalled mRNAs after the general arrest of protein translation, in response to cellular stress or viral infections. Another example of membraneless organelles is constituted by P-bodies, which play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression and the upkeep of mRNA quality control for the RNA metabolism machinery.
Dysfunctional condensates have the capacity to interfere with protein localisation, signal transduction, and gene expression, ultimately contributing to the emergence of diseases including cancer and metastasis. Additionally, abnormalities in membraneless organelles have been linked to a number of diseases, such as metabolic disorders and neurological illnesses like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
This Research Topic seeks to understand the complex molecular processes underlying the formation and functionality of membraneless organelles as it brings promising opportunities for expanding our knowledge of disease mechanisms, and the creation of ground-breaking treatment approaches. We are extending an invitation to researchers to submit original research articles, systematic review articles, review articles, mini-review articles, perspective articles, brief research report articles and general commentary articles.
Our understanding of cellular biology will continue to grow as research in this quickly developing area reveals fresh perspectives on the intricate world of membraneless organelles.
Keywords:
membraneless organelles, RNA, granules, protein aggregation diseases, phase separation
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.