RBP Image Database

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are central players in post-transcriptional gene regulation, implicated in all facets of RNA metabolism, including RNA synthesis, splicing, end processing, epitranscriptomic modifications, intracellular transport, translation and degradation. Moreover, molecular dysfunctions in RPBs have been implicated in the etiology of various diseases, from cancer to neurodegenerative disorders. Importantly, the various steps of post-transcriptional gene regulation in which RBPs intervene tend to be carried out in specific subregions of the cell, including membrane delimited (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum) and various membrane-less organelles (e.g., nuclear speckles, nucleoli, P-bodies). As such, defining the intracellular localization properties of RBPs is a key feature to help understand their potential functions.

Herein, we present the RBP Image Database, a resource that characterizes the subcellular localization patterns of 301 RBPs in relation to 12 subcellular markers for various organelles and non-membrane delimited structures in human HepG2 and HeLa cells, cell lines that have been broadly used in large-scale genomics studies. The database houses ~250,000 microscopy images, accompanied with manually curated pattern descriptions assembled using a controlled vocabulary of annotation terms. Both images and pattern annotations can be interrogated through 'gene/protein centric' or 'annotation centric' formats within the database that can be easily downloaded for external usage. For a detailed description of the scientific methodology and navigation features of the database, please consult the tutorial section.