RNA-binding proteins (RBP) are proteins that coordinate and regulate gene expression by controlling the splicing, processing, quality control, localization, stability, and translation of RNA transcripts. In contrast to transcription factors which assemble with the transcription complex upstream of a given gene by binding to specific DNA sequences, RNA-binding proteins typically bind to particular sequence and structural features conferred in the RNA molecule. It is predicted that the human genome encodes for approximately 1,000 RBPs.

Given the large diversity of functions bestowed upon RBPs, this varied group of proteins contain RNA-binding domains composed of many different structural motifs such as the RNA-recognition motif, K-homology domain, and double-stranded RNA-binding domain motif. RBPs are built in combination of different motifs which can create proteins with versatile RNA assembly surfaces that translates into differing functions in RNA metabolism.

RNA-binding...