RNA binding proteins associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and muscle myopathy possess sequence elements that bear resemblance to yeast prion domains. Fusion proteins of the nuclear matrix protein matrin 3 (MATR3), transactive response DNA binding proteinTARDBP43 (TDP43) or the RNA binding protein FUS with yellow fluorescent protein or mCherry were used to examine phase separation and protein interaction in mouse C2C12 myoblast cells. The authors show that N-terminal sequences in MATR3 can mediate phase separation into intranuclear droplet-like structures, which recruit TDP43 variants lacking RNA binding elements.
- M. Carolina Gallego-Iradi
- Haley Strunk
- David R. Borchelt
