Biochemical controls: an RNA controls cell death (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, October 02, 2024, 19:13 (50 days ago) @ David Turell

A recent finding:

https://www.the-scientist.com/a-small-rna-with-a-big-impact-on-cell-aging-72204

"Ribosomes provide cells with the surplus of proteins needed to continue to divide, placing these protein factories as key players in controlling cell senescence. Researchers have shown that small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) modify bases in ribosomal RNAs.

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"They discovered that a snoRNA called SNORA13 produced one of the most pronounced effects compared to other snoRNA candidates; without it, the mutant oncogene failed to halt cell division.

"Further investigation into SNORA13 revealed that it modifies RNA bases in the ribosome’s active site, suggesting that this small RNA may affect the synthesis of all cellular proteins, including ones that stall division. “But what we found is that the chemical modification of the ribosome that is guided by the snoRNA actually had nothing to do with senescence,” Mendell said; the amount of protein synthesis in the cell did not differ between cells with or without SNORA13. “That was kind of an exciting twist and turn in the story for us,” Mendell noted.

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"Mendell and his team found that cells expressing SNORA13 produced fewer of the large subunit than cells lacking the snoRNA, revealing that SNORA13 impedes ribosome synthesis. Although ribosome production slackens, the cell continues to produce essential protein parts that roam freely around the cell. Mendell’s team demonstrated that these mobile proteins bolster tumor protein p53 signaling, which shuts down cell division and switches cells into a senescent state."

Comment: the intricacies of our living biochemistry continue to dictate there must be a designing mind.