(Press-News.org) Contact information: Ainhoa Iriberri
airiberri@cnic.es
34-610-295-556
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares
New mechanism that permits selective capture of microRNAs in nanovesicles that shuttle between cells
The study presents the first description of a set of related nuceleotide sequences essential for the role of these small molecules in intercellular communication
The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) is fundamental for the correct moment-to-moment adjustment in the expression of target genes. "Before this study, we already knew that these small molecules could be packaged into small vesicles and exported to the extracellular space, to be later captured by other cells and in this way play an important role in intercellular communication," explains CNIC researcher Carolina Villarroya, the first author on the study.
What was not known until now was the mechanism by which miRNAs are encapsulated and exported. And this is precisely what graduate researcher Villarroya and Dr. María Mittelbrunn—from Prof. Sánchez Madrid's group—have discovered, working closely with Dr. Fátima Sánchez Cabo of the Bioinformatics Unit and Dr. Jesús Vázquez of the Proteomics Unit.
The article describes how a specific group of miRNAs that are actively exported in nanovesicles from human T lymphocytes share specific nucleotide sequence patterns called EXOmotifs. When these EXOmotifs are mutated, export of these miRNAs is impeded; and when they are introduced into other miRNAs, export is facilitated. EXOmotifs provide the binding site for a protein called hnRNPA2B1, which is responsible for transporting miRNAs to the interior of nanovesicles.
hnRNPA2B1 is also implicated in the transport of the genomic RNA of viruses such as HIV to sites of exit to the cell exterior. This establishes a parallel between the secretion of vesicles loaded with RNA and the production of viruses that parasitize the cellular machinery to extend infection.
The discovery suggests a new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles, which have enormous potential as vehicles for gene therapy, vaccines and antitumor treatments. These findings form the basis of a new patent by the researchers and their institutions the CNIC and the UAM.
INFORMATION:
New mechanism that permits selective capture of microRNAs in nanovesicles that shuttle between cells
The study presents the first description of a set of related nuceleotide sequences essential for the role of these small molecules in intercellular communication
2013-12-20
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
More mentions in the FT linked to greater popularity of stocks
2013-12-20
More mentions in the FT linked to greater popularity of stocks
A 6-year study of the Financial Times has found that the more frequently a company is mentioned in the newspaper in the morning, the greater the volume of shares traded in that company during the ...
Efforts to curb climate change require greater emphasis on livestock
2013-12-20
Efforts to curb climate change require greater emphasis on livestock
CORVALLIS, Ore. – While climate change negotiators struggle to agree on ways to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, they have paid inadequate attention to other greenhouse gases associated ...
Birth of black hole kills the radio star
2013-12-20
Birth of black hole kills the radio star
Research clears telescope, disproves long-held theory
Astronomers led by a Curtin University researcher have discovered a new population of exploding stars that "switch off" their radio transmissions before collapsing ...
An earthquake or a snow avalanche has its own shape
2013-12-20
An earthquake or a snow avalanche has its own shape
However, it is crucial what one observes – paper fracture or the avalanching of snow. The results were just published in the Nature Communications journal.
Avalanches of snow or earthquakes can be described in other ...
Smooth or grainy?
2013-12-20
Smooth or grainy?
A SISSA paper reviews research on the grain of space-time
Smooth" or grainy? Is space-time continuous or is it made up of very fine (10-35 metres on the "Planck scale") but discrete grains, if we look at it very ...
IRB develops ChroGPS, a new generation visual browser of the epigenome
2013-12-20
IRB develops ChroGPS, a new generation visual browser of the epigenome
This is a software application that provides easily interpretable maps from which to analyse and understand the immense volume of epigenetic and genetic ...
Birth control at the zoo
2013-12-20
Birth control at the zoo
Vets meet the elusive goal of hippo castration
Common hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius) are vulnerable to extinction in the wild, but reproduce extremely well under captive breeding conditions. Females ...
Breaking down cancer's defense mechanisms
2013-12-20
Breaking down cancer's defense mechanisms
A possible new method for treating pancreatic cancer which enables the body's immune system to attack and kill cancer cells has been developed by researchers.
The method uses a drug which breaks down the ...
A gluttonous plant reveals how its cellular power plant devours foreign DNA
2013-12-20
A gluttonous plant reveals how its cellular power plant devours foreign DNA
Amborella trichopoda, a sprawling shrub that grows on just a single island in the remote South Pacific, is the only plant in its family and genus. It is also one of the oldest flowering ...
Charge order competes with superconductivity
2013-12-20
Charge order competes with superconductivity
Today in Science express: Charge carriers in cuprate high-Tc superconductors form nanostripes that suppress superconductivity, as shown by guest researchers from Princeton ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Older teens who start vaping post-high school risk rapid progress to frequent use
Corpse flowers are threatened by spotty recordkeeping
Riding the AI wave toward rapid, precise ocean simulations
Are lifetimes of big appliances really shrinking?
Pink skies
Monkeys are world’s best yodellers - new research
Key differences between visual- and memory-led Alzheimer’s discovered
% weight loss targets in obesity management – is this the wrong objective?
An app can change how you see yourself at work
NYC speed cameras take six months to change driver behavior, effects vary by neighborhood, new study reveals
New research shows that propaganda is on the rise in China
Even the richest Americans face shorter lifespans than their European counterparts, study finds
Novel genes linked to rare childhood diarrhea
New computer model reveals how Bronze Age Scandinavians could have crossed the sea
Novel point-of-care technology delivers accurate HIV results in minutes
Researchers reveal key brain differences to explain why Ritalin helps improve focus in some more than others
Study finds nearly five-fold increase in hospitalizations for common cause of stroke
Study reveals how alcohol abuse damages cognition
Medicinal cannabis is linked to long-term benefits in health-related quality of life
Microplastics detected in cat placentas and fetuses during early pregnancy
Ancient amphibians as big as alligators died in mass mortality event in Triassic Wyoming
Scientists uncover the first clear evidence of air sacs in the fossilized bones of alvarezsaurian dinosaurs: the "hollow bones" which help modern day birds to fly
Alcohol makes male flies sexy
TB patients globally often incur "catastrophic costs" of up to $11,329 USD, despite many countries offering free treatment, with predominant drivers of cost being hospitalization and loss of income
Study links teen girls’ screen time to sleep disruptions and depression
Scientists unveil starfish-inspired wearable tech for heart monitoring
Footprints reveal prehistoric Scottish lagoons were stomping grounds for giant Jurassic dinosaurs
AI effectively predicts dementia risk in American Indian/Alaska Native elders
First guideline on newborn screening for cystic fibrosis calls for changes in practice to improve outcomes
Existing international law can help secure peace and security in outer space, study shows
[Press-News.org] New mechanism that permits selective capture of microRNAs in nanovesicles that shuttle between cellsThe study presents the first description of a set of related nuceleotide sequences essential for the role of these small molecules in intercellular communication