Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K.
Biochem Soc Trans. 2024 Aug 28;52(4):1605-1615. doi: 10.1042/BST20230787.
Although the majority of RNAs are retained in the nucleus, their significance is often overlooked. However, it is now becoming clear that nuclear RNA forms a dynamic structure through interacting with various proteins that can influence the three-dimensional structure of chromatin. We review the emerging evidence for a nuclear RNA mesh or gel, highlighting the interplay between DNA, RNA and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and assessing the critical role of protein and RNA in governing chromatin architecture. We also discuss a proposed role for the formation and regulation of the nuclear gel in transcriptional control. We suggest that it may concentrate the transcriptional machinery either by direct binding or inducing RBPs to form microphase condensates, nanometre sized membraneless structures with distinct properties to the surrounding medium and an enrichment of particular macromolecules.
尽管大多数 RNA 保留在细胞核内，但它们的意义常常被忽视。然而，现在越来越清楚的是，核 RNA 通过与各种可以影响染色质三维结构的蛋白质相互作用形成动态结构。我们综述了核 RNA 网格或凝胶的新证据，强调了 DNA、RNA 和 RNA 结合蛋白（RBPs）之间的相互作用，并评估了蛋白质和 RNA 在调控染色质结构中的关键作用。我们还讨论了核凝胶形成和调控在转录控制中的可能作用。我们认为，它可以通过直接结合或诱导 RBPs 形成微相凝聚物，将转录机器集中在纳米级无膜结构中，这些凝聚物与周围介质具有不同的性质，并且富含特定的大分子。
