New Video Sheds Light on the Role of RNA Gums in Expansion Disorders
A new study, recently published in Nature, has found that the expansion of certain RNA sequences can lead to the development of genetic disorders. The findings could provide insight into the genetic basis of neurological diseases such as Huntington’s, Fragile X Syndrome, and Myotonic Dystrophy – all of which involve an expansion of RNA sequences.
The research team, led by Dr. Ilana Kolodkin-Gal of the Weizmann Institute of Science, used a new technique they developed to determine how the expansion of RNA sequences affects the structure of the genetic material. They found that when the RNA sequences expand, they form structures that look like a stick of gum and can disrupt the normal function of the gene. This could explain why diseases related to RNA expansion are so difficult to treat.
source: Phys.org