Mapping subcellular RNA localization with proximity labeling

• Proximity labeling enables efficient isolation and purification of RNA from specific subcellular compartments, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. • RNA localization is critical for cellular functions such as localized translation, development, and synaptic plasticity, with examples like gurken and β-actin mRNAs. • The review highlights RNA-related proximity labeling tools and their applications in mapping spatiotemporal RNA dynamics. • This approach provides a powerful strategy to dissect the subcellular transcriptome, advancing understanding of gene regulation and disease mechanisms.