Clearer gene silencing mechanism

2009/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika

Researchers at Rockefeller University in New York have taken a step to unravel the gene silencing mechanism. To do this, they investigate a bacterium that lives in the hydrothermal chimneys of the ocean floor, Thermus thermophilus. The mechanism of this bacteria is similar to that of mammals, but in the laboratory it is much easier to work with bacteria.

Thus, they have shown that a protein complex separates and divides RNA molecules, which causes gene silencing. It is called RNAinterference (RNA) and occurs naturally in the regulation of gene expression and in virus infections. However, researchers would like to use it also in therapy. Therefore, the progress made is very important.