Biomolecular condensates containing RNA: Nuclear magnetic resonance to the rescue.

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) drives the formation of membraneless organelles that are crucial for the spatial organization of eukaryotic cells. Given the critical role of biomolecular condensates in health and disease, it is important to gain a quantitative understanding of this phenomenon. Here, we summarize recent progress on elucidating the biophysical properties of RNA-containing condensates with a focus on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which allows label-free characterization of these complex biomolecular condensates. We further review how our understanding of condensate formation, properties and function has advanced in recent years based on NMR and complementary methods, which are likely to provide a lot more in the future.