“No Such Thing As 'Junk RNA,' Say Researchers - Science Daily” plus 1 more |
No Such Thing As 'Junk RNA,' Say Researchers - Science Daily Posted: 18 Oct 2009 08:02 AM PDT ScienceDaily (Oct. 18, 2009) Tiny strands of RNA previously dismissed as cellular junk are actually very stable molecules that may play significant roles in cellular processes, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI). The findings, published last week in the online version of the Journal of Virology, represent the first examination of very small RNA products termed unusually small RNAs (usRNAs). Further study of these usRNAs, which are present in the thousands but until now have been neglected, could lead to new types of biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and new therapeutic targets. In recent years, scientists have recognized the importance of small RNAs that generally contain more than 20 molecular units called nucleotides, said senior author Bino John, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Computational Biology, Pitt School of Medicine. "But until we did our experiments, we didn't realize that RNAs as small as 15 nucleotides, which we thought were simply cell waste, are surprisingly stable, and are repeatedly, reproducibly, and accurately produced across different tissue types." Dr. John said. "We have dubbed these as usRNAs, and we have identified thousands of them, present in a diversity that far exceeds all other longer RNAs found in our study." The team's experiments began with the observation that the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus produces a usRNA that can control the production of a human protein. Detailed studies using both computational and experimental tools revealed a surprisingly large world of approximately 15 nucleotide-long usRNAs with intriguing characteristics. Many usRNAs interact with proteins already known to be involved in small RNA regulatory pathways. Some also share highly specific nucleotide patterns at one end. The researchers wrote that the existence of several different patterns in usRNAs reflects the diverse pathways in which the RNAs participate. "These findings suggest that usRNAs are involved in biological processes, and we should investigate them further," Dr. John noted. "They may be valuable tools to diagnose diseases, or perhaps they could present new drug targets." In addition to exploring biomarker potential, he and his colleagues plan to better characterize the various subclasses of usRNAs, identify their protein partners and study how they are made in the cell. Co-authors of the paper include Zhihua Li, Ph.D., Sang Woo Kim, Ph.D., Yuefeng Lin, of the Department of Computational Biology; Patrick S. Moore, M.D., M.P.H, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and the Molecular Virology Program, UPCI; and Yuan Chang, M.D., Molecular Virology Program, UPCI. This research was supported by grants from the National Institute of General Medicine Sciences and the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
Opinion Line (Oct. 18) - Wichita Eagle Posted: 18 Oct 2009 06:22 AM PDT It's ridiculous that the Wichita City Council is spending $500,000 to create a 20-year downtown revitalization plan. The council has a half-life of two years; four years from now, this plan will be sitting on a shelf and the council members will look at one another and say, "We need a new plan." * * * Only security — plenty of police officers on foot patrol — will make people feel safe downtown. * * * The ACLU is not "waging war against Christians." It is battling against those who would subvert the Constitution by establishing a national religion. More power to it, I say. * * * Shouldn't we expect our lawmakers to have read the health care bill? Or is it acceptable to vote "no" on this legislation simply because of who proposed it, rather than what it supposedly does or doesn't contain? * * * The health care issue might be what sparks a revolution. * * * So if we end up with government-run health care, will it mimic the government-run Postal Service's long lines and indifferent service? Will prices be randomly raised to offset inefficiency without accountability? Not what I want. * * * When will Barack Obama stop campaigning and start being the president? * * * I am 77 years old, and I hope I die before I see another Democrat elected president. This administration is a "Titanic." * * * Every new dollar of taxes or fees applied to my business is a dollar I can't use to pay salaries or benefits for employees. If government takes more and more from business, it is going to force more layoffs. * * * Rush Limbaugh wanted to buy a piece of the Rams football team, and the liberals (unions) said "no." Is that democracy at its best? * * * Limbaugh can now claim to be a victim (yet again) because some NFL owners and players said they would not vote for him to buy a team. Boo-hoo. Time for Rush to put on big-boy pants and start owning up to the horrendous comments he makes. * * * I'm sure many people in Wichita will not be pleased to know that St. Joseph hospital will lose its name under the Via Christi renaming plan. * * * How sad that 85 percent of Kansas biology teachers think bad science and false religion should be taught in our schools ("Kansas teachers aren't anti-evolution," Oct. 6 Opinion). * * * No matter whether you think Jesus was liberal or conservative, He did not advocate or use the coercive power of government to help others. His ministry was voluntary, sourced in love. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
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