Biomolecular condensates orchestrate small RNA pathways and transgenerational inheritance.

Abstract

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are biomolecular condensates composed of RNAs and RNA-binding proteins that help organize gene expression, small RNA pathways, and genome surveillance. Recent studies have shown that germline RNP granules in Caenorhabditis elegans are not uniform structures; instead, they comprise multiple functionally specialized yet spatially coordinated subcompartments. Growing evidence indicates that this higher-order organization is crucial for RNA-mediated gene silencing and the transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic information. Here, we summarize recent advances in the composition, spatial organization, and functional specialization of C. elegans germline RNP granules, with an emphasis on how compartmentalization coordinates small RNA pathways and supports the maintenance and inheritance of gene silencing. We also highlight unresolved questions and emerging challenges in the field to provide an updated framework for understanding how membraneless organelles regulate RNA metabolism and epigenetic inheritance.