Columbus, Ohio – Scientists have discovered that some small segments of RNA are considered junk, instead some messenger has a functional role in suppressing the production of RNA and help cells to help cells in responding to oxidative stress. They appear for.
There are sections in question IntronasSmall sequence of one of the most Transfer RNARNA molecules that help guide the assembly of amino acid chains during protein manufacture. These intrins have been historically considered useless for cells because TRNA should be closed before doing their work.
In a new study, researchers at Ohio State University showed that some intron joins the major sections of molecules that translate genetic information into protein, which gives them down – which cancels the production of protein. In experiments highlighting cells for oxidative stress, a type of intron remained highly stable rather than disintegrating in those situations, indicating that some intron cells may be part of the evolutionary survival toolkit.
Over the years unexpected comments inspired scientists to examine a functional role, which they call “fitrnas”, small for free introvers of trnas: Inappropriate sequencing with other RNA molecules, use by cells to abandon them Different methods to be done, and oversion of some, but not all, intron in stressful circumstances.
“No one was estimating a function for Intrones. But it did not just understand for me that they would not have any work and yet the cell thought that there should be six or more different ways to destroy them, ”said the senior writer said Anita HopperProfessor molecular Genetics Ohio in the state.
“If they were just junk then why would the cell want to behave preferably? We were on the idea that some tasks should be done. And for the last five years, our team did some really smart experiments to prove it. ,
Research has been published today (February 11, 2025) Molecular cell,
Transfer RNA (TRNA) works with Messenger RNA (MRNA) so that proteins can be manufactured through supplementation, which means that add a TRNA sequence with its supplementary sequence on the MRNA molecule to ensure that one The correct amino acids are added to the series in the form of protein. Is being made
Using yeast as a study model, the team of the hopper saw many years ago that some omissions were complemented by the MRNA sequences, indicating the intron may have importance to translate genetic codes by indicating introna . There are 10 TRNA families that have intron, and each intron family is destroyed in a different way. This study was focused on two of those families.
Researchers found that once they are freed from TRNA, these floating intron with complementary sequences connect with specific MRNAs, causing MRNAs to separate, so protein production cannot occur. Experiments confirmed a clear inverse relationship: The same increase or decrease in the target MRNA respectively due to the removal or motivation of the overs of Fitrnas.
Fitrna function appears similar to micrornas, small segments of RNA (once considered junk) that prevents the protein-building functions of the gene-but there is a significant difference, the first author Regina Nostramo, a postdotory in the laboratory of the hopper The researcher said.
Micrornas Messenger interact with the Argonut family to degrade the RNA with the protein, “but because there are no argonut proteins in this yeast species, something else and the messenger RNA is still low. Tantra is, but what is happening is different, ”Nostramo said.
Another difference is, the hopper mentions: MicroRNAS continuously connects the same non-coding “seed” area of its target messenger RNA, but free intrains tie a section of MRNA that includes protein-building instructions.
“So it is not only a newly discovered small non-coding RNA, but it operates in a novel manner,” he said.
The power to disrupt protein production shows that intron gives an advantage to cells, the researchers said. Paolo Sinopoli, a third year molecular genetics student co-author in the hopper lab, identified at least 33 MRNAs targeted by an Intron family selected for the focus in the study. Although they do not belong to a single category, affected proteins are related to cell division and reproduction.
“The question is, ‘Why exist to start with intron?” Sinopoli said. “We see from TRNA that they are present in humans, in mice, in flies, in yeast. Therefore, despite being disabled, they are present in all these organisms – but in biology, disabled things do not live all around. ,
The abundance and stability of a Fitrna in cells that experience oxidative stress gives a clue to their importance that team will continue the cells by highlighting heat stress, starvation and other challenging circumstances.
“Maybe cells use these small intrains as negative regulators of gene expression – because they are not destroyed under certain conditions,” the hopper said. “Maybe they have a very small role in healthy conditions for cells, but under stress, when some of them are stable, it is probably a really important role.”
This work was supported National Institutes of Health, Pelotonia undergraduate fellowship And Ohio State Graduate research scholarship,
Additional co-writer, all of the Ohio state, Alicia Bao (now at Thomas Jefferson University), Sara Metkaf and Lauren Peltier (now at Toledo University).
,
Contact: Anita Hopper, (Email protected)
Written by Emily Caldwell, (Email protected)614-292-8152
,
