RNA damage compartmentalization by DHX9 stress granules. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38503283/)

These scientists were curious about how cells protect themselves from damage when they are under stress. They discovered a special compartment inside cells called a stress granule, which helps to separate damaged RNA (a type of genetic material) from the rest of the cell. They found that this stress granule, marked by a protein called DHX9, specifically compartmentalizes RNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.

Using a special technology called FANCI, the scientists were able to see that these stress granules are filled with damaged intron RNA, which is different from the normal stress granules that contain mature mRNA. When cells are exposed to UV light, the RNA in the cells gets damaged and this can affect how the RNA is processed and broken down. The cells respond by forming these DHX9 stress granules, which help the cells survive and trigger an immune response against the damaged RNA.

The scientists also found that DHX9 helps regulate the amount of damaged RNA in these stress granules and is important for keeping the cells healthy. Another protein called p62 helps to break down these stress granules when they are no longer needed.

Overall, the scientists discovered that these non-canonical stress granules, marked by DHX9, are a special compartment in the cell that protects it from damage and helps the cell survive stressful conditions.

Zhou Y., Panhale A., Shvedunova M., Balan M., Gomez-Auli A., Holz H., Seyfferth J., Helmstadter M., Kayser S., Zhao Y., Erdogdu NU., Grzadzielewska I., Mittler G., Manke T., Akhtar A. RNA damage compartmentalization by DHX9 stress granules. Cell. 2024 Mar 28;187(7):1701-1718.e28. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.028. Epub 2024 Mar 18.