Center for RNA Biomedicine Co-Director Nils Walter, Ph.D. is excited about sharing some news about yet another fascinating role RNA plays in gene regulation – and it’s about time… literally.
In a new review article, “Regulation of bacterial gene expression by non-coding RNA: It is all about time!” published January 10, 2024 in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, Walter and his colleague Adrien Chauvier, Ph.D., at the Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, discuss the vital role that speed plays in the process of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) folding in bacteria.
Bacteria are curious little things. Not to mention one of nature’s most highly-skilled quick-change artists. It’s a game of survival of the fittest. Bacteria are born assimilaters – adapting readily to their surrounding environment, and this requires the ability to change how their genes operate.
In a living cell, RNA is made from DNA through a process called transcription – the first step in gene expression. This RNA can then be turned into proteins, and the entire process is overseen by a watch-dog of an enzyme, RNA polymerase( RNAP).
Of all RNAs sythesized, there are two types: ones that helps make proteins (coding RNAs); and ones that don’t (non-coding RNAs, or ncRNAs). However, the non-coding RNAs are crucially important as they help regulate the genes, and control various and sundry other processes like cell division, the degree to which bacteria react to environmental changes, and so on.
In this examination, Walter and Chauvier explore how non-coding RNAs can fold into different structures when they are created, and that this process can markedly affect exactly how they function. The speed of this process matters greatly since changes can lead to serious problems for the bacteria. It’s a delicate balance of processes – mainly timing – that could mean life or death for these single-cell stalwarts.
They further emphasize just how incredibly complex ncRNAs are, and that uncovering how they fold while being made and how this is directly related to their function will help us better understand how bacteria survive and evolve – knowledge that could vastly improve how we design and use antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
Walter and Chauvier revel in this exciting field of study that holds terrific promise for the future for finding potential links to diseases and also be valuable for developing new treatments. Indeed, a booming new destination along the ever-growing RNA therapeutics superhighway that’s definitely worth a visit.
To read the full review article, visit: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.011
"Mkurugenzi mwenza wa Kituo cha Biomedical cha RNA, Dr. Nils Walter, alisema: ""Tunashangilia kushiriki habari kuhusu jukumu lingine la kuvutia RNA inacheza katika udhibiti wa jeni, na ni juu ya wakati... kihalisi.""" Katika makala mpya ya ukaguzi, "Usimamizi wa maonyesho ya jeni ya bakteria na RNA isiyo ya kuingiza: Ni wakati wote!" iliyochapishwa Januari 10, 2024 katika jarida la Cell Chemical Biology, Walter na mwenzake Adrien Chauvin, PhD, katika Kikundi cha Uchambuzi wa Molekuli Moja na Kituo cha Biomedical ya RNA, Idara ya Kemia, Chuo Kikuu cha Michigan, wanajadili jukumu muhimu ambalo kasi inacheza katika mchakato wa kuingiza RNA isiyo ya kuingiza (RNA). Bakteria ni vitu vidogo vyenye kupendeza. Bila kutaja mmoja wa wasanii wa asili wenye ustadi mkubwa wa mabadiliko ya haraka. Ni mchezo wa kuokoka kwa walio na uwezo zaidi. Bakteria huzaliwa wakiwa na uwezo wa kuzoea mazingira yanayowazunguka, na hilo huhitaji uwezo wa kubadili jinsi chembe zao za urithi zinavyofanya kazi. Katika chembe hai, RNA hutengenezwa kutoka kwa DNA kupitia mchakato unaoitwa transcription <unk> hatua ya kwanza katika usemi wa jeni. RNA hii inaweza kubadilishwa kuwa protini, na mchakato mzima unasimamiwa na mlinzi wa enzyme, RNA polymerase (RNAP). Kati ya RNA zote zilizotengenezwa, kuna aina mbili: zile zinazosaidia kutengeneza protini (RNA za kuhariri); na zile ambazo hazifanyi (RNA zisizo za kuhariri, au ncRNAs). RNA zisizo za kuunda zina jukumu muhimu katika kudhibiti chembe za urithi, na pia katika kudhibiti michakato mbalimbali kama vile mgawanyiko wa seli, kiwango cha bakteria inayokabiliana na mabadiliko ya mazingira, na kadhalika. Katika uchunguzi huu, Walter na Chauvier kuchunguza jinsi RNA zisizo coding inaweza fold katika miundo tofauti wakati wao ni kuundwa, na kwamba mchakato huu inaweza kwa kiasi kikubwa kuathiri hasa jinsi kazi yao. Kasi ya mchakato huu ni muhimu sana kwa kuwa mabadiliko yanaweza kusababisha matatizo makubwa kwa bakteria. Ni usawa dhaifu wa michakato - hasa wakati - ambayo inaweza kumaanisha maisha au kifo kwa ajili ya hawa single-cell stalwarts. "Wanaendelea kusisitiza jinsi ncRNAs ni ngumu sana, na kwamba kufunua jinsi wanavyopindika wakati wa kutengenezwa na jinsi hii inahusiana moja kwa moja na kazi yao itatusaidia kuelewa vizuri jinsi bakteria wanavyoishi na kubadilika - maarifa ambayo yanaweza kuboresha sana jinsi tunavyobuni na kutumia viuavijasumu kutibu maambukizo ya bakteria. """ Walter na Chauvier wanafurahia uwanja huu wa utafiti wa kusisimua ambao una ahadi kubwa kwa siku zijazo kwa kupata viungo vya uwezekano kwa magonjwa na pia kuwa na thamani kwa ajili ya kuendeleza matibabu mapya. Kwa kweli, ni marudio mapya yenye kusitawi kando ya barabara kuu ya matibabu ya RNA inayokua daima ambayo hakika inafaa kutembelewa. Kwa maelezo zaidi, tazama ukurasa wa mwisho wa tovuti hii: www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk www.jw.org.uk