A Narrative Review on Stress Granules and Ultraviolet Stress Granules

Background: Stress granules (SGs) are membraneless structures formed through liquid-liquid phase separation in response to cellular stress. These dynamic assemblies play a pivotal role in cellular adaptation and recovery from external stressors by modulating protein synthesis and preserving mRNA integrity, thereby influencing various cellular biological processes. Their significance has been demonstrated in diverse phenomena, including tumorigenesis, drug resistance, cellular senescence, and neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: This narrative review focuses on SGs and ultraviolet-induced SGs (UV SGs), examining their composition, formation mechanisms, and potential functions in the pathogenesis of various dermatological conditions, and explores the implications of UV SGs in cutaneous inflammation, immune-mediated skin disorders, dermatological malignancies, and pigmentary abnormalities. Methods: We conducted a literature search of relevant publications from the inception of the Web of Science and CNKI databases up to 2024. The search terms included "Stress Granules," "Ultraviolet Stress Granules," "Phase Separation," "Cellular Stress Response," and "Skin Diseases." High-quality articles were included after rigorous screening. Conclusions: In conclusion, this review aims to provide novel perspectives and targeted strategies for both clinical management and fundamental biological research in the field of dermatology.