Instructions in preprints from 14 universities highlight controversy on AI in peer review

An early experiment, with colleague Matthew Meselson, helped set the stage for a revolution in genetics.

More than 2,700 human mRNA 3′UTRs have hundreds of highly conserved (HC) nucleotides, but their biological roles are unclear. Here, we show that mRNAs with HC 3′UTRs mostly encode proteins with long intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), including MYC, UTX, and JMJD3. These proteins are only fully active when translated from mRNA templates that include their 3′UTRs, raising the possibility of functional interactions between 3′UTRs and IDRs. Rather than affecting protein abundance or localization, we find that HC 3′UTRs control transcriptional or histone demethylase activity through co-translationally determined protein oligomerization states that are kinetically stable. 3′UTR-dependent changes in protein folding require mRNA-IDR interactions, suggesting that mRNAs act as IDR chaperones. These mRNAs are multivalent, a biophysical RNA feature that enables their translation in network-like condensates, which provide favorable folding environments for proteins with long IDRs. These data indicate that the coding sequence is insufficient for the biogenesis of biologically active conformations of IDR-containing proteins and that RNA can catalyze protein folding. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Pershing Square Foundation, https://ror.org/04tce9s05 G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation National Institutes of Health, DP1GM123454, R35GM144046 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, https://ror.org/02yrq0923, P30 CA008748

Genetically modified E coli used to create painkillers from material produced from plastic bottles

Subcellular RNA organization can affect critical cellular functions. However, our understanding of RNA microenvironments, particularly biomolecular condensates, remains limited, largely due to a lack ...

Schärfen et al. develop a method to measure the structure of nascent RNAs during their synthesis by RNA polymerases. Base pairing occurs rapidly in cells, revealing the strong regulatory potential of ...

I shared a controversial take the other day at an event and I decided to write it down in a longer format: I’m afraid AI won't give us a compressed 21st century.

Cells constantly surveil and monitor their proteome to ensure proper function. These processes, spanning multiple steps from protein synthesis to folding and degradation, are collectively known as pr…

The localization of biomolecular condensates to intracellular membrane surfaces has emerged as an important feature of sub-cellular organization. In this work,

Single-molecule live-cell fluorescence in situ hybridization uses an RNA-targeting CRISPR–Csm complex to image and track endogenous RNAs.

Petition to Reverse the NIH Indirect Cost Cap (NOT-OD-25-068)

Boraas et al. identify that mRNAs and the stress granule RNA-binding protein G3BP1 form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes at FAs. These RNPs regulate FA protein mobility and cell migration under norma...

Biomolecular condensates play key roles in the spatiotemporal regulation of cellular processes. Yet, the relationship between atomic features and condensate function remains poorly understood. We stud...