CAMPINAS, Brazil – New research conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil revealed that disruptions in RNA communication within and between cells of the roundworm species Caenorhabditis elegans can result in a decreased lifespan. The study, published in the journal Gene, offers fresh insights into genetic regulation and the aging process.
The researchers examined how imbalances in the transfer of RNA molecules impact the roundworm’s lifespan. According to Marcelo Mori, a professor at the Institute of Biology at UNICAMP, this type of RNA communication is essential for signaling between organs or neighboring cells and plays a role in both disease and normal physiological functioning.
The study, funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation, was conducted at UNICAMP’s Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center. Mori explained that the research was inspired by the discovery of RNA interference, which won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. This discovery revealed that RNA can block the flow of information from DNA to RNA and proteins, challenging the previously held belief in molecular biology that genetic information flows in only one direction.
To understand how disrupted RNA communication affects aging, the researchers manipulated the expression of specific proteins involved in RNA transfer in various tissues of the roundworm. They found that overexpression of these proteins in certain tissues led to a reduction in the worm’s lifespan, indicating the crucial role of balanced RNA distribution in maintaining overall organismal health.
Additionally, the study investigated the impact of excessive RNA production by bacteria in the roundworm’s gut microbiota and its correlation with a decreased lifespan. The researchers believe that the worms may use exogenous RNA to monitor microorganisms in the environment, but excessive absorption of RNA can disrupt homeostasis and endogenous RNA production, ultimately accelerating the aging process.
In conclusion, the findings from this study contribute to a better understanding of how disruptions in RNA communication can affect the aging process, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms of genetic regulation and lifespan determination in organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.