The Functional Diversity of Chromatin-Associated RNA Binding Proteins in Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are a diverse class of proteins that interact with their target RNA molecules to regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. RBPs contribute to almost all aspects of RNA processing with sequence-specific, structure-specific, and nonspecific binding modes. Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of RBP-mediated regulatory networks consisting of DNAs, RNAs, and protein complexes and the association between these networks and human diseases have been made very recently. Here, we discuss the "unconventional" functions of RBPs in transcriptional regulation by focusing on the cutting-edge investigations of chromatin-associated RBPs (ChRBPs). We briefly introduce examples of how ChRBPs influence the genomic features and molecular structures at the level of transcription. In addition, we focus on the post-transcriptional functions of various RBPs that regulate the biogenesis, transportation, stability control, and translation ability of circular RNA molecules (circRNAs). Lastly, we raise several questions about the clinical significance and potential therapeutic utility of disease-relevant RBPs.