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Biophysics of RNA-Protein Interactions pp 39–55Cite as

Evolving Methods in Defining the Role of RNA in RNP Assembly

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Part of the book series: Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering ((BIOMEDICAL))

Abstract

The causative connection between aberrant liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules and neurodegeneration is well known. LLPS driven by intrinsically disordered proteins has been intensely investigated. However, the role of RNA and RNA–protein interaction in RNP granule assembly, properties, maintenance, and eventual onset and progression of neurodegeneration remains poorly understood. A critical hurdle in addressing this question is the shortcomings of currently employed ensemble methods in probing very early-stage molecular events. Here, we present a unique combination of single-molecule biophysical and ensemble methods that can dissect single protein–RNA interaction. The advantage of this approach is that it provides a potential tool to identify early-stage molecular defects that may contribute to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by Catalyst Research Award from Johns Hopkins University, R01 GM115631 and R01 CA 207342 for all members at Johns Hopkins University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biophysics Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    Jaya Sarkar & Sua Myong

  2. Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    Jong Chan Lee

  3. Center for Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Sua Myong

Authors
  1. Jaya Sarkar
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  2. Jong Chan Lee
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Correspondence to Sua Myong .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

    Chirlmin Joo

  2. Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK

    David Rueda

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Sarkar, J., Lee, J.C., Myong, S. (2019). Evolving Methods in Defining the Role of RNA in RNP Assembly. In: Joo, C., Rueda, D. (eds) Biophysics of RNA-Protein Interactions. Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9726-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9726-8_3

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9724-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9726-8

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