All articles tagged with #rna interference
Biotech companies are exploring RNA interference to develop longer-lasting obesity treatments, potentially shifting from weekly hormone-targeting drugs like Wegovy to less frequent, gene-targeted therapies.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine reveals that imbalances in toxic and protective RNA strands play a critical role in Alzheimer’s disease, potentially offering new avenues for treatment focused on RNA interference. The research shows that short strands of toxic RNAs contribute to brain cell death and DNA damage in Alzheimer’s and aged brains, while older individuals with superior memory capacity have higher amounts of protective short RNA strands. This discovery may have relevance beyond Alzheimer’s and could lead to new approaches for treating neurodegenerative diseases by stabilizing or increasing the amount of protective short RNAs in the brain.
A new study suggests that RNA interference plays a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease, with an imbalance between toxic and protective short RNAs contributing to brain cell death and DNA damage. SuperAgers, older individuals with exceptional memory, have higher levels of protective sRNAs, offering new treatment avenues. This research opens possibilities for targeting RNA strands in Alzheimer’s treatment, shifting focus from traditional approaches.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine has identified short toxic RNAs that contribute to brain cell death and DNA damage in Alzheimer's and aged brains, while also finding that older individuals with superior memory capacity have higher amounts of protective short RNA strands. The discovery may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases by stabilizing or increasing the amount of protective short RNAs in the brain. The study sheds light on the role of RNA interference in Alzheimer's and suggests a new approach to halt or delay the disease.
Del Monte has successfully engineered a pink pineapple called "Pinkglow" that is now being sold in stores. The pink color is achieved by muting the enzyme that converts lycopene to beta-carotene, allowing lycopene to accumulate and give the pineapple its distinctive hue. Del Monte used a technique called RNA interference to achieve this genetic modification. The company also developed a golden pineapple called "Honeyglow." The high prices of these genetically engineered pineapples are due to scarcity and marketing, but as production increases, prices are expected to come down.
Developmental biologist Eric Lai and his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have discovered an evolutionary battle of the sexes in fruit flies, where certain genes threaten the survival of a species by pursuing their own self-interests. These "selfish" genes engage in meiotic drive, forcing their own transmission through the germline, which can have disastrous consequences for the host organism. To counteract these harmful genes, the body employs small regulatory RNAs called siRNAs, which silence the selfish genes through the RNA interference pathway. The research sheds light on the mechanisms that protect against harmful genetic elements and highlights the importance of fundamental research in understanding biology and potential applications in fields like cancer research and human infertility.
Scientists have uncovered the activation process of a protein called SPARTA, a short prokaryotic Argonaute, which could potentially be used as a biotechnology tool. While Argonaute proteins are well-studied in eukaryotes, this is the first study to detail the structures and mechanisms of a short Argonaute in prokaryotes. The research team discovered that SPARTA undergoes structural changes and assembles into a larger molecular complex after binding to RNA or DNA. This protein plays a role in triggering bacterial cell death to prevent plasmid invasion. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to the development of highly effective natural functions for diagnostics and therapies.
Alnylam's experimental drug for Alzheimer's disease has shown promising benefits in patients for up to six months. The drug, which utilizes RNA interference to silence disease-causing genes, resulted in significant reductions in protein biomarkers associated with the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. The levels of these biomarkers remained 55 to 65 percent lower than before treatment six months after receiving the drug. The results suggest the potential for administering two doses per year to maintain reduced protein levels. Alnylam's drug is the first to target a gene causing a brain disease, serving as a proof of concept for RNA interference drugs in neurodegenerative disorders. Further studies are needed to determine if reducing protein biomarkers slows the progression of Alzheimer's.