Genome complexity: RNA on cell surfaces (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, August 22, 2024, 00:30 (30 days ago) @ David Turell

These are glycoRNA's:

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-unveiling-glycornas.html

"In a groundbreaking exploration of cell surface biology, Ryan Flynn has uncovered a surprising role for RNA outside the confines of the cell. Flynn's research, which focuses on the biology of cell surface RNA, led to the discovery that certain RNAs are chemically linked to glycans—complex carbohydrate polymers found on the cell surface.

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"That discovery challenged the long-held notion that nucleic acids are restricted to the intracellular environment, revealing a previously unrecognized layer of complexity in cell surface biology.

"In new research published in Cell, Flynn and colleagues have discovered the mechanism of how RNA is chemically linked to N-glycans. Before this research, only proteins and lipids were known to be conjugated to glycans. Flynn's team has now added RNA to this list, a finding with important implications for understanding cellular biology.

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"'In the 2021 paper, we found evidence that glycoRNAs can interact with immune receptors," he says. This suggests that glycoRNAs could be a crucial component in how the immune system recognizes and responds to cells, potentially influencing everything from pathogen detection to autoimmune responses.

"The presence of glycoRNAs on the cell surface could also have broader implications for cell-cell communication and signaling. As Flynn elaborated, "If you're trying to develop a mechanism understanding of why someone has autoimmunity, if you don't think about the RNA on the cell surface, you'll necessarily be missing something."

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"'The goal of this is to stimulate more interest in glycoRNA biology and cell surface RNA biology," Flynn emphasizes. "This paper not only expands the understanding of RNA biology but has also opened up new possibilities for research into cell surface interactions and immune system function."

"As the scientific community begins to explore this uncharted territory, the impact of Flynn's research will likely drive new discoveries and potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies."

Comment: The immune system becomes more and more complex.