2020
Cell

RNA-induced conformational switching and clustering of G3BP drive stress granule assembly by condensation

Authors:

Guillén-Boixet, J., Kopach, A., Holehouse, A. S., Wittmann, S., Jahnel, M., Schlüßler, R., ... & Franzmann, T. M.

Keywords:

stress granules, RNP granules, G3BP, phase separation, liquid-to-solid transition, Neurodegenerative disease, stress response

Abstract:

Stressed cells shut down translation, release mRNA molecules from polysomes, and form stress granules (SGs) via a network of interactions that involve G3BP. Here we focus on the mechanistic underpinnings of SG assembly. We show that, under non-stress conditions, G3BP adopts a compact auto-inhibited state stabilized by electrostatic intramolecular interactions between the intrinsically disordered acidic tracts and the positively charged arginine-rich region. Upon release from polysomes, unfolded mRNAs outcompete G3BP auto-inhibitory interactions, engendering a conformational transition that facilitates clustering of G3BP through protein-RNA interactions. Subsequent physical crosslinking of G3BP clusters drives RNA molecules into networked RNA/protein condensates. We show that G3BP condensates impede RNA entanglement and recruit additional client proteins that promote SG maturation or induce a liquid-to-solid transition that may underlie disease. We propose that condensation coupled to conformational rearrangements and heterotypic multivalent interactions may be a general principle underlying RNP granule assembly.