Stressing the role of a short linear motif in ataxin-2 condensation.

Ataxin-2, an RNA-binding protein that is conserved across eukaryotes, is involved in stress granule assembly and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. In this issue of Molecular Cell , Boeynaems et al. 1 identify a short linear motif in ataxin-2 as a condensation switch, providing molecular insights into its essential role in cellular stress response. Ataxin-2, an RNA-binding protein that is conserved across eukaryotes, is involved in stress granule assembly and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. In this issue of Molecular Cell , Boeynaems et al.1 identify a short linear motif in ataxin-2 as a condensation switch, providing molecular insights into its essential role in cellular stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]