RNA-containing membrane-less compartments involved in the stress response. RNA-containing membrane-less compartments involved in the stress response. Depending on the duration of the stress (transient or persistent), a cell adjusts gene expression through post-transcriptional (faster) or transcriptional (slower) regulation. The post-transcriptional regulation occurs in various nuclear (green) and cytoplasmic (blue) liquid-like organelles that have distinct functions in the regulation of RNA metabolism. These membrane-less organelles are formed through a process of biochemical phase separation, which is mediated by proteins that contain RNA-binding domains and LCDs. Potential mechanisms that affect phase separation are changes in protein concentration, isoform specificity or post-translational modifications that regulate the binding affinities of phase-separating proteins. mt, mitochondrial. Mariya M. Kucherenko, and Halyna R. Shcherbata J Cell Sci 2018;131:jcs202002 © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd