Amazing stuff!
"In a new study ... researchers reveal that mRNA, or messenger RNA, plays a significant role in cell migration, a duty that also dramatically expands scientists’ understanding of what mRNA does in the body.
The new finding centers on the “feet” of cells, little bundles of molecules that connect cells to their environment and allow them to “walk” around. ...
For the study, the researchers first looked for mRNAs at the feet, which are also known as focal adhesions. Previous research had identified a handful of mRNAs that localized around focal adhesions. ... found 1oo to 200 mRNAs at cells’ focal adhesions. ...
Rather than producing proteins, these mRNAs were teaming up with a protein called G3BP1 at the focal adhesions. The meeting of the two appears to be necessary for proper cell migration. ..."
From the highlights and abstract:
"Highlights
• Hundreds of mRNAs localize to focal adhesions (FAs)
• G3BP1 also localizes to FAs and interacts with FA proteins in an RNA-dependent manner
• Removal of G3BP1 reduces FA protein mobility, FA size, and individual cell migration speed
• G3BP1’s RNA-binding and dimerization domains are required for cell migration
Summary
The subcellular localization of mRNAs plays a pivotal role in biological processes, including cell migration. For instance, β-actin mRNA and its associated RNA-binding protein (RBP), ZBP1/IGF2BP1, are recruited to focal adhesions (FAs) to support localized β-actin synthesis, crucial for cell migration.
However, whether other mRNAs and RBPs also localize at FAs remains unclear. Here, we identify hundreds of mRNAs that are enriched at FAs (FA-mRNAs). FA-mRNAs share characteristics with stress granule (SG) mRNAs and are found in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes with the SG RBP.
Mechanistically, G3BP1 binds to FA proteins in an RNA-dependent manner, and its RNA-binding and dimerization domains, essential for G3BP1 to form RNPs in SG, are required for FA localization and cell migration. We find that G3BP1 RNPs promote cell speed by enhancing FA protein mobility and FA size. These findings suggest a previously unappreciated role for G3BP1 RNPs in regulating FA function under non-stress conditions."
G3BP1 ribonucleoprotein complexes regulate focal adhesion protein mobility and cell migration (open access)
Graphical abstract
Figure 1 A distinct subpopulation of mRNAs is localized to FAs
Figure 4 G3BP1 regulates individual cell migration through its function as an RNP
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