Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are RNA–protein assemblies that are involved in multiple aspects of RNA metabolism and are linked to memory, development, and disease. Some RNP granules form, in part, through the formation of intermolecular RNA–RNA interactions. In vitro, such trans RNA condensation occurs readily, suggesting that cells require mechanisms to modulate RNA-based condensation. We assess the mechanisms of RNA condensation and how cells modulate this phenomenon. We propose that cells control RNA condensation through ATP-dependent processes, static RNA buffering, and dynamic post-translational mechanisms. Moreover, perturbations in these mechanisms can be involved in disease. This reveals multiple cellular mechanisms of kinetic and thermodynamic control that maintain the proper distribution of RNA molecules between dispersed and condensed forms.

核糖核蛋白 (RNP) 颗粒是 RNA-蛋白质组装体，涉及 RNA 代谢的多个方面，并与记忆、发育和疾病有关。部分 RNP 颗粒通过分子间 RNA-RNA 相互作用的形成而形成。在体外，这种反式RNA 凝聚很容易发生，这表明细胞需要调节基于 RNA 的凝聚的机制。我们评估了 RNA 凝聚的机制以及细胞如何调节这种现象。我们建议细胞通过依赖 ATP 的过程、静态 RNA 缓冲和动态翻译后机制来控制 RNA 凝聚。此外，这些机制的扰动可能与疾病有关。这揭示了多种细胞动力学和热力学控制机制，可维持 RNA 分子在分散和凝聚形式之间的适当分布。