It was always a curiosity in the biological science world
how cells organize themselves and find a way to form functional structures. Scientists
studied protein and RNA molecules condense into droplets from bacterial and
human cells. Proteins within these droplets solidify and form disease or
disorders.
It had been discovered that RNA molecules recognize one another
and condense into such droplets in 3D forms. University of North Carolina’s Amy
Gladfelter researched work on the formation of these droplets while doing her
study at the HHMI/HCIA Summer Institute. Gladfelter, along with 70 other
scientists, have explored this cellular organization for five years.
RNA molecules end up in the same droplet when their 3D structures
bind together through complementary base-pairing. Gladfelter states that the RNA
molecules end up in different droplet formation if their secondary structures
are shielding from complementary base pairing. The droplets form their 3D
structures when the complementary sequences are exposed and are able to pair
with each other. This process allows scientists to see what is happening within
the cells. Gladfelter states that “this is not just something that proteins and
RNAs can do, but that nature has selected for it.”
The discovery of this process has helped further investigate
aggressive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases.
The solidification of such proteins may be a factor of these diseases.
For more information, visit the original article.
No comments:
Post a Comment