tRNA as a function of energy production

 

A mitochondrial study unveiled new insights in how our cells use tRNA for the process of energy production. Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet, with the help of cryo-electron microscopy, have been able to identify the mechanism of mitochondrial tRNA 3’ processing by the enzyme RNase Z. The exact process of tRNA in mitochondria was not fully well understood, but with this study how the RNase Z complex recognizes and process tRNA molecules. It was discovered that there is a 5’ to 3’ processing order of the tRNAs, which makes sure that they are correctly prepared for protein synthesis. The researchers declared the directionality of tRNA as a crucial part of the process.

When thinking of tRNA, whether in mitochondrial processes or not, we understand its importance in the function of cells and organisms. Problems in the processing of these transport sequences can lead to serious mitochondrial diseases. Another study done by researchers from Kumamoto University revealed the critical role that tRNA has in modifying enzymes in the brain. By creating the absence of the TRMT10A gene in different mice subjects, the researchers encountered a decreased level of measured tRNA levels in the brain. Most specifically, in the initiator methionine tRNA, and glutamine. This process diminished protein synthesis and compromised the structural integrity of the synapses, leading to impaired cognitive abilities.

In my opinion, both studies show the importance of tRNA as part of the cellular process and its importance in the structural integrity of our making as organisms that can think and express ourselves. Furthering our understanding of the mechanisms behind tRNA in mitochondrial processes and energy production can lead us into having solutions for different genetical processes. We understand that failures in the tRNA messaging can lead to disease and cognitive disorders, and we also recognize now that without specific genes and enzymes that support our brain function, our tRNA can be compromised and so can our health. Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of tRNA and its implications in the human body is of crucial importance to me and it should be to everyone.

Sources:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-reveals-critical-role-trna-enzyme.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-11-mitochondrial-insights-cells-rna-energy.html#google_vignette

Is Alcohol linked to genes ?

    This article defines alcoholism as well as describes the reasoning behind it and ways to prevent it. Although alcoholism isn't directly linked to one specific gene. Many genes have been proven to have an impact on a person’s alcohol consumption. This article also mentions that genes are not the only reasons behind alcoholism, environment can also have a large impact. Some of the ways that can be used to prevent alcoholism, include delaying consumption, limiting consumption, seeking help, and abstaining. 

    I found this article very interesting because I have never thought about my genes affecting alcohol consumption. This article also included a person’s first-hand experience with alcoholism. In this article, the person was fortunate enough to educate himself and prevent it from having a large impact on his life. The addition of statistics also helped me better understand the effects that alcohol can have on people's lives. It was very informative and led to deeper thoughts.  

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Head injuries can alter hundreds of genes and lead to serious brain diseases

Research has shown that head injuries can cause damage to hundreds of genes in the brain that can cause an increase of a risk to obtain a neurological or psychiatric disorder. In the article it is said that for the first time researchers believed they found the master genes that control several hundreds of other genes that are linked to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, stroke, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, depression, schizophrenia and other disorders. From this finding, scientists can now learn how the master genes work in order to find new pharmaceuticals to treat these brain diseases. Damage to these master genes can cause a chain effect to cause damage to other hundreds of genes as well. The damage can change the gene in two ways; the first being proteins that are produced by these genes are irregular and the second being the number of expressed copies of a gene in a cell is changed. Both of these lead to a gene not working properly and causing the wrong form of protein to be produced, leading to diseases like Alzheimer's.

This new finding is huge for scientists! This is a step for them to find new ways to treat existing head injuries and diseases but also this is a step to find new ways to repair damaged cells in the brain.

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Fungicides Trigger Autism-Related Gene Expression Changes in Mice

       A study was conducted by senior author Mark Zylka, PhD, associate professor of cell biology and physiology at UNC and his colleagues. The study involved exposing brain cells, or neurons, of mice to around 300 chemicals, including a variety of fungicides. Fungicides are chemicals that can prevent or kill the growth of fungi, protecting plants and crops from fungi-relate damage. Using RNA sequencing on the mouse neurons were performed in order to pick out which genes will be affected by the exposure to the chemicals. Results were confirmed by comparing the exposed neurons to chemicals to the non exposed neurons. With the use of computer programs, the scientists were able to determine which chemicals trigger similar changes in gene expression. There were six identified groups of chemicals which alter the gene expression within mouse neurons; rotenone, pyridaben, fenpyroximate, and strobilurins, chemicals in the strobilurins include pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, fenamidone, and famoxadone.

       Results concluded that the chemicals reduced the expression of the genes that play an important role in brain communication, which interferes with brain functioning that leads to delays and decreased skills. The chemicals also increased the expression of genes associated with the nervous system and caused inflammation, which is most commonly seen in autism and neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers also found the chemicals can result in cell damage which can lead to interfered brain cells. Researchers can not confirm the effects from strobilurins will have the same effect on human brains, only with further research can this be truly confirmed.

       Since being a vegetarian for almost ten years, this study has shocked me. When living a healthy lifestyle and staying free of added hormones and antibiotics from animal protein, only to discover that there are terrible effects of maintaining a strict-plant based diet is meaningless for individuals who follow a vegetarian lifestyle. I hope further research will be conducted to truly determine whether or not these fungicides are related to autism. In the future if this study is confirmed to be true then hopefully, there can be a prevented measure or even the ending the use of these certain fungicides do decrease the rates or autism and neurodegenerative disorders.

Click here for original source :http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308432.php

An enzyme that fixes broken DNA sometimes destroys it instead

The research team at Stanford University School of Medicine has a remarkable insight that the enzymes inside cells that would repair damaged DNA sometimes can wrecked it. With this information, it can lead to better understanding of he causes of some types of cancer and neurodegenerative disease. The paper that is to be published explains how the mechanism of DNA damage occurs when genetic transcript, composed of RNA, stick to the DNA instead of detaching from it. Enzymes like endonuclease are attached to DNA/RNA hybrids that form when the gene transcription goes the wrong way and the enzyme ends up cutting the DNA like scissors to damage it.

The research was conducted with human cells in culture using molecular biology techniques to turn off specific genes. By using this way, the researchers are able to induce cells to form hybrids and to see what would happen if different enzyme were inhibited. There is evidence of same enzyme helping to repair DNA lesions from sunlight and certain chemicals; also that same enzyme has same structure that is similar to those formed in cells damaged by ultraviolet light. The next step for the researchers is to try to understand why some of the enzymes are that control the transcription car causing DNA damage. This is a very interesting find in the DNA transcription.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/286147.php