[ One of the most important science stories of the year involves microRNAs ]
Plant RNAs Found in Mammals
One microRNA in particular, MIR168a, which is highly enriched in rice, was found to inhibit a protein that helps removes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the blood, suggesting that microRNAs can influence gene expression across kingdoms. "This is a very exciting piece of work that suggests that the food we eat may directly regulate gene expression in our bodies"
MicroRNAs are, as the name implies, very short RNA sequences (approximately 22 nucleotides in length) discovered in the early 1990s. They are known to modulate gene expression by binding to mRNA, often resulting in inhibition.
Indeed, Zhang suspects that this is just one example of many. With time, "I’m confident other people will find more exogenous plant microRNAs that can pass through the GI tract and also have effects on the host physiology," Zhang said.
http://the-scientist.com/2011/09/20/plant-rnas-found-in-mammals/
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Non-protein coding RNAs, and in particular small RNAs, were recently revealed as master chief regulators of gene expression in all organisms. Immediately after its discovery, the potent effect of small RNAs has been exploited to specifically downregulate gene expression in a timely controlled manner. Such technology is commonly used in the laboratory but also for bio- medical applications. Indeed, artificially synthesized small RNAs or dsRNA can be introduced exogenously to look for transient and localized effects.
With this study, the possible incidence of RNA contained in the food diet on animal/human health will certainly become an explosive field of investigation. This study also implies precise awareness from biotechnolo- gists who intend to make use of dsRNA, especially in the field of plant protection against pests.
Ingested plant miRNAs regulate gene expression in animals
Cell Research advance online publication 25 October 2011; doi: 10.1038/cr.2011.164
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Another is the continuing plan to develop RNA therapies for honeybees:
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Monsanto Company announced it has acquired Beeologics, which researches and develops biological tools to provide targeted control of pests and diseases. Beeologics is focused on biological research. Current projects in its pipeline -- including a product candidate being developed to help protect bee health -- use a naturally-occurring process to provide targeted pest and disease control.
[ This follows Beeologics discovery last year that they can to knock down Nosema ceranae using RNA interference. ]
Here we used controlled laboratory experiments to show that double-stranded RNA homologous to specific N. ceranae ADP/ATP transporter genes can specifically and differentially silence transcripts encoding these proteins. This inhibition also affects Nosema levels and host physiology. Gene silencing could be mediated solely by Nosema or in concert with known systemic RNAi mechanisms in their bee hosts.
These results are novel for the microsporidia and provide a possible avenue for controlling a disease agent implicated in severe honeybee colony losses. Moreover, since microsporidia are pathogenic in several known veterinary and human diseases, this advance may have broader applications in the future for disease control.
Effective Gene Silencing in a Microsporidian Parasite Associated with Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Colony Declines
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Sept. 2010, p. 5960–5964 Vol. 76, No. 17
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Peter Loring Borst
128 Lieb Road
Spencer, NY 14883
607 280 4253
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