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How faulty mRNA is destroyed

Researchers have identified a crucial mechanism behind nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which removes faulty transcripts to prevent incomplete protein production. The study reveals that the SMG5 and SMG6 proteins interact directly, forming an endonuclease that cuts through RNA in a targeted manner.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2026

Chung-Ang University researchers unveil the biogenesis and role of transfer RNA fragments in cancer progression

Researchers at Chung-Ang University have identified a crucial role for specific tRNA fragments in cancer progression, revealing their ability to regulate gene expression and influence tumor growth. The study suggests that these fragments could serve as biomarkers for early-stage cancer detection and targets for therapeutic interventions.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2024

NUS and A*STAR researchers discover cell-type-specific link between alternative splicing and autoimmune disease inheritance

Researchers from NUS and A*STAR have discovered a connection between the regulation of alternative splicing in different cell types and the predisposition to autoimmune diseases. The study used a population-scale single-cell gene expression profiling dataset to analyze splicing events specific to particular cell types, revealing ancest...

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 3, 2024

Slow editing of protein blueprints leads to cell death

A team of researchers has identified a mechanism that interferes with the splicing process in a more subtle way, leading to cell death. The study reveals that spliceosome subunits U4, U5, and U6 are normally stabilized by protein USP39, but when mutated or absent, stability is compromised, causing incorrect connections during splicing.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

Solving the side effect problem of siRNA drugs for genetic disease treatment using formamide

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a method to chemically alter siRNAs, reducing off-target effects and improving the safety of siRNA drugs for genetic therapy. By modifying the seed region of siRNAs with formamide, they achieved suppression of off-target effects with higher efficiency than existing chemical modifications.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateSep 6, 2024

Effectiveness of using siRNA to treat Huntington’s disease

A new study published in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics found that siRNA reduces huntingtin mRNA levels in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus of mouse brains, suggesting a limitation in its effectiveness for treating Huntington's disease. The research highlights the importance of understanding the structure and function of nuclear RNA to ...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalNucleic Acid Therapeutics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

Research shows how RNA 'junk' controls our genes

Researchers at Arizona State University created a detailed map of the 3'UTR regions of RNA in C. elegans, revealing crucial elements for gene regulation and protein production. The study provides valuable insights into the machinery of gene control, shedding light on fundamental biological processes essential to human health and disease.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 2, 2024

How cells boost gene expression

A research team from Göttingen University has discovered that antisense RNA (asRNA) plays a crucial role in cell transport, allowing cells to accelerate gene expression and produce proteins quickly in response to environmental stress or harm. This new understanding sheds light on the function of asRNAs and their potential link to disea...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

UAB researchers uncover protein SRSF1’s uncommon ability to bind and unfold RNA G-quadruplexes

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered that the protein SRSF1 can bind and unfold complex RNA Guanine-quadruplexes. This finding could provide new avenues for treating illnesses such as cancer, which is often linked to misfunctioning splicing processes.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 30, 2024

Tiny brain bubbles carry complete codes

Scientists discovered that tiny brain bubbles called small extracellular vesicles carry more complete instructions for altering cellular function than previously thought. Researchers found nearly 80% of identified mRNAs were full-length, allowing them to be transcribed by recipient cells into viable proteins.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2024

Optimizing boosters: How COVID mRNA vaccines reshape immune memory after each dose

Researchers found that T cells can reshape their memory and maintain diversity against COVID-19 variants in response to successive mRNA vaccinations. The study revealed a shift among clonotypes, with a change from early responders to main responders after the second shot, suggesting a new dominant population of effector-memory T cells.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2024

Johns Hopkins researchers make progress toward developing blood tests for psychiatric and neurological disorders

Johns Hopkins researchers have made progress toward developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric disorders. They identified 26 placental mRNAs present in maternal blood only during pregnancy, which reflected changes occurring inside the tissues.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 7, 2024

University of Toronto researchers discover new lipid nanoparticle that shows muscle-specific mRNA delivery, reduces off-target effects.

Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a novel ionizable lipid nanoparticle that enables efficient muscle-focused mRNA delivery while minimizing off-target effects. The study demonstrates potent cellular immune responses and potential as a viable candidate for cancer vaccine development.

SourceUniversity of Toronto - Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2023

New strategy attacks treatment-resistant lymphomas

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a new mechanism that makes some cancers treatment-resistant, involving the shuttling of messenger RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The approach targets this mechanism with a combination of approved chemotherapies, showing promise in treating persistent cases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 2, 2023

Singling out a bacterium from the crowd

A new method, M3-seq, has been developed to study the gene expression patterns of individual bacteria with unprecedented detail. This approach enables researchers to identify rare bacterial populations and profile phage infection, shedding light on complex biological phenomena.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 13, 2023

Assessment of immunological reaction to mRNA SARS CoV-2 vaccine after administration of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis

Researchers developed a new method to assess immune responses to specific antigens after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis. This approach enables evaluation of post-vaccination responses in immunocompromised patients with high antibody titers.

SourceKobe University·JournalBritish Journal of Haematology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers develop “in vivo” RNA-based gene editing model for blood disorders

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers have developed a proof-of-concept model for delivering gene editing tools directly into diseased blood cells within the body. This approach aims to reduce costs and increase access to gene therapies for blood disorders, which currently require chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.