Defining cell surface and glycosylated RNAs.

GlycoRNAs, a novel class of small noncoding RNAs covalently modified with N-glycans, reside on the cell surface and reshape RNA regulatory understanding.

• Why it matters: Understanding cell surface molecules is crucial for insights into biomolecular interactions and cellular communication, yet RNA's role at this interface has been underexplored.
• What they did: The authors review technologies that identified glycoRNAs and cell surface RNAs, and discuss evidence for RNA trafficking to the extracellular space and mechanisms anchoring RNA to living cell surfaces.
• The result: These findings suggest new functions for RNAs at the cell surface, encouraging further research into their roles in cellular regulation and intercellular communication.