Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev, from the University of Oxford, discovered a piece of RNA that inhibits a key gene in tumour growth, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This gene produces a protein that helps control folate levels in the body, a chemical that tumour cells need to divide rapidly.
The discovery of such an important role for a molecule previously seen as scrap opens up a myriad of possible new RNA therapeutics, and not only for cancer.
The Human Genome Project identified about 34,000 genes responsible for producing proteins. The remaining part of the genome – in fact most of it – was considered to be ‘junk' DNA with no function.
RNA acts as a mediator between the DNA of our genes and the proteins they ultimately produce when activated. Although scientists have known for some time that not all RNA was directly involved in protein synthesis, latest estimates suggest that this ‘junk' DNA actually produces around half a million varieties of RNA of unknown function. .....
Whole article: "www.in-pharmatechnologist.com":[ http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=73547-university-of-oxford-rna-therapeutics-cancer-dhfr-quiet-revolution]
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MicroRNA Helps Prevent Tumors -
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RNAi Shows Promise In Gene Therapy -
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