Manipulation of RNA using engineered proteins with customized specificity.

A large number of RNA-binding proteins play critical roles in controlling eukaryotic gene expression at multiple RNA-processing steps. Many of these proteins have modular configuration, containing a RNA binding domain to recognize their target and functional module to affect RNA metabolism. This simple configuration motivated the design of artificial factors that specifically manipulate RNA. While significant progress has been made since 1990s to engineer DNA binding proteins with designed specificity, design of analogous RNA binding factors was not practical until recently. With the increasing complexity of biological pathways involving RNA regulation, engineering RNA binding factors with customized specificity and function has become an emerging field of research. Such factors can serve as novel method to manipulate RNA metabolism and thus are very useful in basic biological and medical research. Here we discuss the current advances in engineering RNA binding proteins, with emphasis on the design principles and their potential applications as new therapeutic reagents and basic biological tools.