Scientists Draw a Map of Techniques in RNA-RNA Interactions Study
On July 23, 2024, a research group led by Prof. XUE Yuanchao from Institute of Biophysics, CAS, systematically reviewed the development of RNA interactome technologies in a paper published in Molecular Cell. They analyzed the main advantages and technical limitations of different technologies, providing important guidance for the effective selection of tools for RNA functional research.
The extensive transcription of the human genome generates a large number of non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in precise regulation of genetic information transmission such as transcription, splicing, and translation by interacting with other RNA molecules. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of RNA-RNA interactions is key to deciphering the mechanisms of non-coding RNA function.
The researchers systematically outlined the development of RNA interactome technologies from in vitro to in vivo and to in situ, progressively improving the reliability of data. They introduced key principles used in various techniques for capturing and identifying RNA-RNA interactions such as chemical cross-linking, proximity ligation, and proximity barcoding.
The analysis of the main strengths and technical limitations of these techniques in identifying different types of RNA-RNA interactions serves as an essential reference for the tools selection in RNA functional research.
Furthermore, the researchers also discussed the important conceptual advances brought by the technological breakthroughs in RNA interactome research in areas such as RNA transcription regulation, cellular compartmentalization, and the pathogenic mechanism of viral infection.
They explored the challenges faced in further optimizing RNA interactome technologies, deciphering the interaction mechanisms of low-abundance RNA, and understanding the dynamic changes in RNA-RNA interactions.
This article holds significant guiding reference value for the analysis of RNA-RNA interactions and the study of non-coding RNA functional mechanisms.
Fig. The function of RNA-RNA interaction
(Image by XUE Yuanchao's group)
Article link: https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765(24)00543-4
Contact: XUE Yuanchao
Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing 100101, China
E-mail: ycxue@ibp.ac.cn
(Reported by Prof. XUE Yuanchao's group)