Hentze, M. W., Castello, A., Schwarzl, T., and Preiss, T. (2018) review the rapidly expanding field of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), highlighting the diversity and complexity of their roles in RNA biology. While traditional RBPs bind RNA through well-characterized domains like RRM, KH, or DEAD box helicase, recent studies have identified hundreds of new RBPs that lack these domains. These unconventional RBPs may be regulated by RNA rather than controlling it, suggesting a broader role in RNA function. The review discusses the discovery of these RBPs through proteome-wide studies, RNA interactome capture, and computational methods. It also explores the functional diversity of these proteins, including their involvement in RNA modification, metabolism, and disease. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding the molecular and cellular functions of these RBPs, as well as the dynamic nature of RNA-protein interactions. The authors conclude that the field of RNA-binding proteins is rapidly evolving, with new insights into their roles in gene regulation, disease, and cellular processes.Hentze, M. W., Castello, A., Schwarzl, T., and Preiss, T. (2018) review the rapidly expanding field of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), highlighting the diversity and complexity of their roles in RNA biology. While traditional RBPs bind RNA through well-characterized domains like RRM, KH, or DEAD box helicase, recent studies have identified hundreds of new RBPs that lack these domains. These unconventional RBPs may be regulated by RNA rather than controlling it, suggesting a broader role in RNA function. The review discusses the discovery of these RBPs through proteome-wide studies, RNA interactome capture, and computational methods. It also explores the functional diversity of these proteins, including their involvement in RNA modification, metabolism, and disease. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding the molecular and cellular functions of these RBPs, as well as the dynamic nature of RNA-protein interactions. The authors conclude that the field of RNA-binding proteins is rapidly evolving, with new insights into their roles in gene regulation, disease, and cellular processes.