Exploring the Pathway of RNA Degradation in Iron-Rich Environments
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have discovered a new pathway for RNA degradation in iron-rich environments. This discovery could have major implications for understanding how organisms survive and evolve in extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
The pathway, called Fe–S-dependent endonucleolytic decay (FEDD), is a process in which iron-sulfur clusters (Fe-S) act as catalysts in the breakdown of RNA molecules. This process is believed to be a key mechanism for the survival of organisms in iron-rich environments, as it allows them to quickly and efficiently breakdown RNA molecules and recycle their components. The discovery of this pathway could also lead to better understanding of how organisms adapt to changing environmental conditions and improve our understanding of the evolution of life in extreme environments.
source: Phys.org