Celebrating RNA Day: Exploring the Diverse Roles of RNAs in Gene Expression

[Ygggdrasil]

Today (AUG 1) is RNA Day, an international celebration of one of the most versatile biomolecules in existence. What are some areas of RNA research that excite you most?

Some of the most intriguing areas of current research to me (with example links for further reading):

The role of RNAs in organizing the cell through formation of biomolecular condensates:
mRNA structure determines specificity of a polyQ-driven phase separation
RNA buffers the phase separation behavior of prion-like RNA binding proteins

Potential roles for coding and non-coding RNAs in regulating transcription:
A Phase Separation Model for Transcriptional Control
The recruitment of chromatin modifiers by long noncoding RNAs: lessons from PRC2

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs by chemical modification:
Dynamic RNA Modifications in Gene Expression Regulation
http://dev.biologists.org/content/143/21/3871.long

 

[jedishrfu]

Nice post. There's a lot going on with RNA research.

I ran across a recent competition looking for the mechanism of how things evolved into the DNA/RNA scheme we have today using AI methods.

https://www.space.com/16311-origins-of-life-challenge-winners.html

http://www.frontlinegenomics.com/blog/19919/5-million-tech-prize-seeks-answer-origin-life/

Of course, there are contest detractors who don't believe it will be solved to the satisfaction of the judging criteria.

 

[BillTre]

RNA day, pretty fun thing having it on AUG 1st. AUG = start codon.

Potential roles for coding and non-coding RNAs in regulating transcription:
A Phase Separation Model for Transcriptional Control
The recruitment of chromatin modifiers by long noncoding RNAs: lessons from PRC2

Sounds a lot like this:
Imaging dynamic and selective low-complexity domain interactions that control gene transcription.
This article has an emphasis on binding among proteins to cause phase seperation, but I suppose RNAs could easily be involved.
Not sure about a direct connection.