A step to knowing (and using) microRNA

2007/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika
• Medikuntza

Small RNA called microRNA influences gene expression, but researchers did not know how to do it. Now, the scientific journal Nature explains that microRNA acts before starting to form protein. The study was conducted at the CRG center in Barcelona, where genome regulation is analyzed.

MicroRNAs were first found in 1993 and have since seen that they are many and have important functions. A third of the genome depends on these tiny molecules. Knowing the mechanism of their activity, researchers believe that they could influence the evolution of diseases.

They have now taken a step as they have shown that microRNA needs a protein to work with. The protein is called eIF6 and, if removed, the RNA code reading machine stops. The eIF6 protein can slow the development of tumors in the future. But to achieve this, if they do, they still have a lot of way.