RNA modulates hnRNPA1A amyloid formation mediated by biomolecular condensates


Date

2024-07

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

Several RNA binding proteins involved in membraneless organelles can form pathological amyloids associated with neurodegenerative diseases, but the mechanisms of how this aggregation is modulated remain elusive. Here we investigate how heterotypic protein-RNA interactions modulate the condensation and the liquid to amyloid transition of hnRNPA1A, a protein involved in amyothropic lateral sclerosis. In the absence of RNA, formation of condensates promotes hnRNPA1A aggregation and fibrils are localized at the interface of the condensates. Addition of RNA modulates the soluble to amyloid transition of hnRNPA1A according to different pathways depending on RNA/protein stoichiometry. At low RNA concentrations, RNA promotes both condensation and amyloid formation, and the catalytic effect of RNA adds to the role of the interface between the dense and dilute phases. At higher RNA concentrations, condensation is suppressed according to re-entrant phase behaviour but formation of hnRNPA1A amyloids is observed over longer incubation times. Our findings show how heterotypic nucleic acid-protein interactions affect the kinetics and molecular pathways of amyloid formation.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

16 (7)

Pages / Article No.

1052 - 1061

Publisher

Nature

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Organisational unit

09572 - Arosio, Paolo / Arosio, Paolo check_circle
02891 - ScopeM / ScopeM check_circle

Notes

Funding

101002094 - Biologically Inspired Molecular Adhesives towards Multifunctional Biomaterials and Microreactors (EC)

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