What is it about?
Messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules carry the genetic information needed to make proteins. In this study, we discover an mRNA that not only encodes a protein but also can be processed to produce the RNA component of the telomerase enzyme. Telomerase is essential for cellular immortality and commonly present in cancer and stem cells to allow unlimited growth.
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Why is it important?
The mRNA molecules and the noncoding RNA that do not code for proteins are usually synthesized and processed independently. Our finding is paradigm-shifting as it demonstrates an unprecedented biogenesis pathway to produce a noncoding RNA from a protein-coding mRNA.
Perspectives
RNA molecules play many crucial roles in cells. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of RNA biogenesis and processing would lay a strong foundation for future biomedical innovations such as improving mRNA vaccines or creating novel RNA-based therapeutics.
Dr. Julian J-L Chen
Arizona State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Biogenesis of telomerase RNA from a protein-coding mRNA precursor, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2022, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204636119.
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