Re-opening the discussion on mRNA decay inside P-bodies

Processing bodies (P-bodies, PBs) are aggregates of mRNA degradation proteins, suggested 20 years ago to be sites of mRNA degradation. Later work provided evidence to the contrary, and the function of PBs remained controversial. A new pre-print from Bin Wu’s lab brings us back to this debate, with new evidence for a role in degradation. Bonus – how phototoxicity affects the outcome. (Note – updated with published paper).

P-bodies and aging in yeast

A new preprint from Brian Zid’s lab shows accumulation of P-body-like aggregates in old yeast cells with a suggested pathological role in aging. I think some key experiments are missing. A short review.