April 20, 2024

RNA Molecules Control Repair of Damaged Human DNA in Cancer Cells

One such disease in cancer, where damage to our cells DNA can be a contributing element. DNA damage is and occurs repaired constantly, however in many cases it can lead to carcinogenic anomalies in the genome. An essential understanding of how our cells repair DNA is therefore crucial to the style of new treatments.
In this existing research study, the researchers took a look at how specific RNA particles affected the capability of the cancer cells to fix broken or radiation-damaged DNA strings. They discovered that 2 particle types– little Cajal body-specific RNA 2 (scaRNA2) and WRAP53– interacted to regulate the enzyme DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), which in turn affected the DNA-repair mechanisms.
Works like an “on-off” button
” Our findings reveal that some RNA can bind to an enzyme that repairs damaged DNA and operate like an on-off button for this enzyme, thereby managing DNA repair,” says the studys corresponding author Marianne Farnebo, researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at Karolinska Institutet. “Weve also discovered that altered levels of such RNA causes faulty DNA repair work in cancer cells.”
The researchers hope that the results can boost understanding of the part played by RNA in DNA repair and cancer.
” This can open up new methods to the treatment of cancer, such as utilizing artificial RNA molecules to promote cell death in cancer cells,” Marianne Farnebo states.
The research study was supported with grants from the Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council, the Centre for Innovative Medicine, the Cancer Research Funds of Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Institutet, the tactical research study program Cancer KI and the Wenner-Gren Foundations.
Publication: “Small Cajal body-associated RNA 2 (scaRNA2) controls DNA repair work pathway choice by preventing DNA-PK” by Sofie Bergstrand, Eleanor M. OBrien, Christos Coucoravas, Dominika Hrossova, Dimitra Peirasmaki, Sandro Schmidli, Soniya Dhanjal, Chiara Pederiva, Lee Siggens, Oliver Mortusewicz, Julienne J. ORourke and Marianne Farnebo, 23 February 2022, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-022-28646-5.

One such illness in cancer, where damage to our cells DNA can be a contributing aspect. DNA damage happens and is fixed continually, but in some cases it can lead to carcinogenic mutations in the genome. A fundamental understanding of how our cells fix DNA is therefore key to the style of new treatments.

A new research study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveals how certain RNA molecules manage the repair of broken DNA in cancer cells, a discovery that might eventually generate better cancer treatments. The research study is released today in the journal Nature Communications.
It was long presumed that RNA particles– fundamental molecules that exist in all living organisms– only participated in protein synthesis. New research study shows, however, that RNA molecules have a much more comprehensive function and can play a key function in the development of illness.