The metabolic enzyme PKM2 accumulates in the nucleus in various cancer cells. In this study, researchers found that PKM2 binds to structures called G-quadruplexes (rG4) forming on precursor mRNAs. The balance of folded and unfolded rG4s controls the transcriptional output of rG4-containing RNAs (rG4ome). The rG4ome encodes components related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (e.g., a process that allows tumors to grow and spread) and higher rG4 levels, which are associated with poorer patient survival outcomes in different cancer types. Further, removing PKM2 from the nucleus reduces tumor growth and metastasis.

Homeobox domain transcription factors are proteins that have a region with a specific structure that binds a specific DNA sequence within a gene. These transcriptions factors play a known role in development. More specifically, the POU family of homeobox domain transcription factors play important roles in the development of multiple tissue types including sensory tissues. Mutations in the POU4F3 gene are known to cause a dominant form of hereditary hearing loss in humans. Researchers used whole transcriptome profiling to discover that POU4F3 and POU4F1 are selectively expressed in Merkel cells (MCs), which are specialized touch sensors, from both neonatal and adult mouse skin. Using genetically engineered knockout mice, they determined that POU4F3 is critical for MC development, while POU4F1 is expressed in MCs but not necessary for their development.