Researchers at the Kerala-based Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) lab, affiliated with the Ministry of Science and Technology, have made a groundbreaking discovery linking mRNA processing to the oxidative stress response. This condition significantly contributes to the development of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and the aging process.
Oxidative stress, particularly in cardiac tissues, plays a critical role in several health issues, such as hypertension, heart failure, hypoxia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, and hypertrophy (abnormal organ enlargement).
Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, is also blamed for the development of both cancer and neurological diseases, damaging cells and potentially leading to chronic conditions.
Led by Dr. Rakesh S. Laishram, along with Dr. Feba Shaji and Dr. Jamshaid Ali, the RGCB research team found that during oxidative stress, when reactive oxygen species overwhelm the cell’s ability to neutralize them, the production of antioxidant proteins increases due to enhanced RNA processing fidelity.
This significant research has been published in the journal Redox Biology. Dr. Laishram emphasized the importance of controlling oxidative stress for cellular health and disease prevention. He noted, “Cells manage oxidative stress by regulating gene expression through modifications in DNA, RNA, or proteins. This highlights the potential of targeting RNA cleavage precision as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate oxidative stress and related disorders.”
RGCB Director Dr. Chandrabhas Narayana while praising the study, recognised its importance in understanding the role of antioxidants in disease development.
The research also clarified that the variability in gene expression during oxidative stress is driven by a cleavage complex that precisely cleaves at primary sites. This finding represents the first documented instance of biological significance arising from cleavage imprecision, affecting gene expression regulation.
Overall, the study reveals a novel, cleavage imprecision-mediated antioxidant response that diverges from traditional pathways associated with oxidative stress. These findings could have profound implications for understanding the pathogenesis of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, inflammation, neurodegeneration, aging, and diabetes, where the antioxidant response is crucial.
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