Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is an archetypal phase separating protein asymmetrically divided into a low complexity domain (LCD) and an RNA binding domain (RBD). Here, we explore how the two domains contribute to RNA-dependent phase separation, RNA recognition, and multivalent complex formation. We find that RBD drives RNA-dependent phase separation but forms large and irregularly shaped droplets that are rescued by LCD in trans. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and single-molecule fluorescence assays reveal that, while both LCD and RBD bind RNA, RBD drives RNA engagement and multivalent complex formation. While RBD alone exhibits delayed RNA recognition and a less dynamic RNP complex compared to full-length FUS, LCD in trans rescues full-length FUS activity. Likewise, cell-based data show RBD forms nucleolar condensates while LCD in trans rescues the diffuse nucleoplasm localization of full-length FUS. Our results point to a regulatory role of LCD in tuning the RNP interaction and buffering phase separation.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10997494 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2023.11.006 | DOI Listing |
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