Over the past few decades, research on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNA as active participants in the formation of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in eukaryotic cells has greatly expanded. Several studies have demonstrated that multiple physiological functions such as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, mRNA stability or transport, are conducted by LLPS or spontaneous aggregation giving rise to MLOs. It is essential to consider that RBPs typically consist of a domain for RNA binding and a significant portion of disordered regions (IDRs) and/or prion-like domains which are particularly important for the assembly of RBPs and their involvement in LLPS and aggregation.

Proteins and/or RNA spontaneously segregate to form two coexisting liquid phases, thereby regulating various physiological and pathological processes. Abnormal aggregation and the abnormal recruitment of prion-like proteins have been proposed as drivers of human diseases. Defects in RNA metabolism, genetic mutations in RBPs, abnormal assembly and LLPS of RBPs are associated with various human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging-related disorders.

This Research Topic aims to collect high-quality studies describing computational and experimental approaches for investigating and providing a useful framework for understanding the connection between RNA and/or RNA-binding proteins in physiological or neuropathological processes driven or associated with phase separation and aggregation. Original Research articles and Reviews, on the following topics but not limited to are welcome:

● Investigation of the role of LLPS or aggregation in RNA-binding proteins function, and RNA metabolism both in physiological or neuropathological conditions.
● Characterization of disordered regions and/or prion-like domains in RBPs.
● Novel therapeutic mechanism and strategy for diseases involving RBPs to modulate LLPS or aggregation-induced human pathogenic conditions.
● Identification and characterization of RBPs mutations causing human neuropathologies.

Articles for this collection can be submitted either to Frontiers in Neurology, section Neurogenetic and Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, section RNA Networks and Biology.

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