Structural biology of RNA-binding proteins in the context of phase separation: What NMR and EPR can bring?

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation of RNA-binding proteins underlies the formation of membraneless organelles, whose composition is dynamic and whose existence may be transient. These organelles are involved in regulation of RNA processing and translation and, if they behave abnormally, in pathologies. Because disorder phenomena are essential in their formation and dynamics, established methodology is insufficient for characterizing their structure. In this review, we consider the current and potential contribution of NMR and EPR spectroscopy to the understanding of structure and dynamics of phase-separating RNA-binding proteins in, both, their dispersed and condensed state in vitro. We discuss which experiments are applicable under what conditions and which information can be obtained from them. Because for these phenomena, the accessible information depends crucially on metastable phase equilibria, we also consider aspects of sample preparation for NMR and EPR experiments.

Keywords: EPR; Liquid–liquid phase separation; NMR; RNA-binding proteins.