This year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to two American scientists, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Before this transformative insight, it was widely believed that gene activity could only be regulated by proteins. However, the discovery of miRNAs introduced a completely new complexity in gene regulation.
miRNAs play a pivotal role in cellular differentiation, allowing cells to specialize into various types like nerve, muscle, or epithelial cells. They are also involved in modulating gene expression in inflammatory processes, helping cells in quickly responding to internal or external clues.
Importantly, many cancers are linked to miRNA dysregulation. When functioning properly, some miRNAs act as tumor suppressors, inhibiting cancer growth. But when dysregulated, these miRNAs can become harmful by promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation typical of cancerous conditions.
This discovery was revolutionary because it showed that certain non-coding regions of the genome—previously dismissed as “junk DNA”—actually have critical and highly regulated functions. It broadened our understanding of the genome and biological regulation, revealing a complex RNA network controlling life processes. Thanks to the work of Ambros and Ruvkun, RNAs are now considered as key players in cellular biology, with miRNAs opening new research avenues in cancer treatment.
Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University's College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, to receive the latest updates.
Comments