Latest Cell Research RNAs and small molecules associated protein

South Korean famous female scientist Narry Kim graduated from Seoul National University, worked in the University of Oxford, and the University of Pennsylvania study in the US study, then returned to Seoul National University, this year was only exceptional promotion to full professor, and selected Cell editorial ranks the scientist young, but in a small rnas research successes.

Professor Narry Kim Research Group recently published a review article in the journal Cell, describes small molecules RNAs, as well as the latest research progress of its associated proteins. RNAs and small molecules in vivo associated proteins have different modified forms, these modifications will affect the abundance of small molecules and functional RNAs, some of which have also been modified regulation of cell signal, and therefore has important implications for the regulation of rna dynamics of silence.

Recent research group Professor Narry Kim also published the results of another study: by Drosophila and human hepatocytes identified a gene regulating the body grow works.

The researchers found that the general shape of the fruit flies are carrying miRNA miR-8, but the size is very small flies who do not have this miRNA. They believe that miR-8 to participate in insulin signaling by inhibiting the core gene, so that normal body growth. The researchers implanted human miR-8 small larva inside the body, found that the larvae grow into normal Drosophila body size.

The body which also has to play the same role as the Drosophila miRNA. Researchers mentioned, cell size and miRNA workload in human liver cells proportional shape. If the insulin signaling problems, it is easy to suffer from diabetes and cancer. Another study results showed that insulin signaling regulate body aging.

Last year, Professor Narry Kim Research Group study also micrornA on self-regulation functions to make new progress, microRNA is a key factor regulating cell function, in addition to regulating cell function has an important role outside, microRNA itself also needs to be strictly regulated party can play its due role. Lin28, a multifunctional factor, is reported to have reduced let-7 miRNA functions, Lin28 mediated end Let-7 precursor of uridine, thereby blocking the processing of Dicer and the mature let-7. However, the molecular mechanism of this process is unclear.

Researchers coprecipitation by Human Interleukin 18 ELISA Kit (http://www.cusabio.com/html/product/CSB-E07450h.html), demonstrate an unusual Poly (A) polymerase -TUT4, the involvement of the enzyme in the Lin-28 is coupled to pre-let-7 while still blocking its maturity.

In vitro tests found, TUT4 in Lin28 help, you can pre-let-7 were uridine-oriented. TUT4 knockout mouse embryonic stem cells let-7 expression levels rise, eventually lost pluripotency. The authors found that this interaction occurs in the GGAG motif, the motif is present in the ring portion of the pre-let-7. Other miRNA precursor bearing this motif, it may be Lin28 / TUT4 be pathway of uridine. The findings on stem cells and cancer biology research has a very important significance.