RNA Fragments and Ribosomal Failure as a Consequence of Oxidative Stress

Researchers here describe a novel form of cell damage that results from oxidative stress, one that has not yet been investigated in any meaningful way. Oxidative stress is the name given to raised levels of oxidative molecules (free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and others) and the damage that they cause inside cells, in the form of chemical reactions that disable protein machinery. That damage is constantly occurring and constantly repaired, even in young cells, but in old cells the damage outpaces the repair mechanisms. Oxidative damage was at one time thought to be a fairly straightforward cause of aging, but that is no longer the case. It seems fairly clear nowadays that raised levels of oxidative stress in old tissues are a downstream consequence of a broad mix of other issues. As we age, neurons in our brains can become damaged by free radicals. Researchers have discovered that this type of damage, known as oxidative stress, produces an unusual pileup of short snippets of RNA in some neurons. This RNA buildup, which the researchers believe may be a marker of neurodegenerative diseases, can reduce protein production. The researchers observed this phenomenon in both mouse and human brains, especially in a part of the brain called the striatum - a site involved in diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's. For this study, the researchers used a technique that allows them to isolate and sequence messenger RNA from specific types of cells. This invol...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs