Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are nonmembrane assemblies formed in cells in response to stress conditions. SGs mainly contain untranslated mRNA and a variety of proteins. RNAs and scaffold proteins with intrinsically disordered regions or RNA‐binding domains are essential for the assembly of SGs, and multivalent macromolecular interactions among these components are thought to be the driving forces for SG assembly. The SG assembly process includes regulation through post‐translational modification and involvement of the cytoskeletal system. During aging, many intracellular bioprocesses become disrupted by factors such as cellular environmental changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and decline in the protein quality control system. Such changes could lead to the formation of aberrant SGs, as well as alterations in their maintenance, disassembly, and clearance. These aberrant SGs might in turn promote aging and aging‐associated diseases. In this paper, we first review the latest progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying SG assembly and SG functioning under stress conditions. Then, we provide a detailed discussion of the relevance of SGs to aging and aging‐associated diseases.
Highlights
Cells rely on distinct compartments and organelles, in which molecules are protected against other agents from the surrounding milieu, to concentrate specific cellular components for achieving specific biochemical reactions and biological functions (Aguilera-Gomez & Rabouille, 2017)
An stress granules (SGs) is a kind of stress-inducible RNP granule formed by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS)
SGs are sensitive to environmental changes and enable cells to be more flexible in response to these changes, facilitating their survival during stress
Summary
Cells rely on distinct compartments and organelles, in which molecules are protected against other agents from the surrounding milieu, to concentrate specific cellular components for achieving specific biochemical reactions and biological functions (Aguilera-Gomez & Rabouille, 2017). KEYWORDS aging, aging-associated diseases, nonmembrane assemblies, proteostasis, RNA-binding proteins, stress granules An increasing body of evidence has indicated that LLPS plays an important role in cellular organization and the assembly of membraneless organelles, which are comprised of highly concentrated proteins and RNAs (Alberti & Dormann, 2019).
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