Revolutionary Discovery of MicroRNA: Unlocking the Secrets of Gene Regulation

Revolutionary Discovery of MicroRNA: Unlocking the Secrets of Gene Regulation

Sub : Sci

Sec: Biotech

Why in News

The Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2024 was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their ground breaking discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This discovery has opened new doors in understanding how different types of cells develop, leading to significant advancements in molecular biology and gene regulation.

About MicroRNAs (miRNAs):

They are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes by interfering with the translation of mRNA into proteins.

The discovery began with experiments on C. elegans, a tiny roundworm, where researchers showed that gene regulation can happen post-transcription, challenging the previous understanding that it was solely the domain of transcription factors.

By 2001, microRNAs were found to be present in invertebrates and vertebrates, and many of them were highly conserved across species, indicating that microRNA-mediated regulation is a universal mechanism.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules, approximately 21-24 nucleotides in length, involved in regulating gene expression.

miRNAs bind to messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cell cytoplasm to control gene expression.

They either trigger the degradation of mRNA or prevent it from being translated into proteins, thereby regulating protein production.

Underexpression of miRNA can lead to overexpression of the protein it controls, while overexpression of miRNA results in underproduction of the associated protein.

miRNAs are involved in key biological processes such as development, cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

They help maintain cellular homeostasis and respond to environmental stimuli.

Alterations in miRNA expression contribute to diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other human conditions.

Circulating miRNAs are considered potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases due to their stability in human fluids.

Ambros and Ruvkun’s Contribution:

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, both American biologists, made significant strides in understanding gene regulation while studying mutant strains of roundworms. They focused on two genes, lin-4 and lin-14, which were instrumental in revealing the role of microRNA. Their collaborative efforts led to the discovery of microRNA as a new principle of gene regulation. Published in 1993, their findings reshaped the scientific understanding of molecular biology.

Future Applications of MicroRNA

MicroRNA in Disease and Health MicroRNAs regulate entire gene networks, impacting many physiological and pathological processes. Researchers have discovered that dysregulation of microRNA contributes to the development of cancers and other diseases. For example, mutations in genes coding for microRNAs can cause conditions such as congenital hearing loss and skeletal disorders.

Role in Cancer Research Studies have shown that abnormal microRNA regulation plays a significant role in cancer development. Mutations in microRNA-related proteins, like those causing DICER1 syndrome, are associated with cancer across multiple tissues.

Potential Therapeutic Applications Understanding microRNA’s regulatory functions offers potential therapeutic applications in gene therapy, targeted cancer treatments, and the diagnosis of genetic disorders. Researchers are now investigating how to manipulate microRNA pathways to treat diseases caused by gene dysregulation.