Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assembly typically begins during transcription when folding of the newly synthesized RNA is coupled with the recruitment of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Upon binding, the proteins induce structural rearrangements in the RNA that are crucial for the next steps of assembly. Focusing primarily on bacterial ribosome assembly, we discuss recent work showing that early RNA–protein interactions are more dynamic than previously supposed, and remain so, until sufficient proteins are recruited to each transcript to consolidate an entire domain of the RNP. We also review studies showing that stable assembly of an RNP competes against modification and processing of the RNA. Finally, we discuss how transcription sets the timeline for competing and cooperative RNA-RBP interactions that determine the fate of the nascent RNA. How this dance is coordinated is the focus of this review.

核糖核蛋白 (RNP) 组装通常在转录过程中开始，此时新合成的 RNA 的折叠与 RNA 结合蛋白 (RBP) 的招募相结合。结合后，蛋白质会诱导 RNA 中的结构重排，这对于下一步的组装至关重要。我们主要关注细菌核糖体组装，讨论最近的研究表明早期 RNA-蛋白质相互作用比以前想象的更加动态，并且一直如此，直到足够的蛋白质被招募到每个转录本以巩固 RNP 的整个结构域。我们还回顾了一些研究，这些研究表明 RNP 的稳定组装会与 RNA 的修饰和加工竞争。最后，我们讨论转录如何设定竞争性和合作性 RNA-RBP 相互作用的时间线，从而决定新生 RNA 的命运。这种舞蹈如何协调是本次评测的重点。