Researchers at the Technion Faculty of Biology have presented findings that could lead to new genetic treatments for cancer and brain diseases. Published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, the study was led by PhD student Berta Eliad, Master's student Noa Schneider, and their advisor, Associate Professor Ayelet Lamm, in collaboration with Professor Heather Hundley from Indiana University.
DNA serves as the body's instruction manual for protein production, while RNA acts as a copy of specific instructions. To generate diverse protein recipes, the body employs an RNA editing mechanism that alters RNA sequences, resulting in modified recipes.
One prevalent form of RNA editing is A-to-I RNA editing, where the enzyme ADAR converts adenosine (A) to inosine (I). Disruptions in this process are linked to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune system misactivation.
The Technion team studied the ADAR enzyme in C. elegans, a model organism known for its transparency and rapid development. They found that ADAR is located near DNA during cell division, suggesting RNA editing occurs during new RNA synthesis. ADAR is expressed in embryos, oocytes, and nerve cells, but not in sperm or other cell types, indicating tissue-selective mechanisms. Moreover, they identified a protein that regulates ADAR's cellular location and determined which RNA substrates ADAR preferentially edits.
According to the researchers, “Our findings show where RNA editing takes place and which factors regulate it, allowing us to understand how RNA editing can be used to repair damaged genes.” They assert that this study provides groundbreaking insights into genetic medicine, potentially leading to innovative treatments for severe diseases.