RNA, which regulates the activity of DNA, is a crucial part of building an organism - and now researchers have extracted some from an extinct animal for the first time
, then at Stockholm University in Sweden, and his colleagues extracted, sequenced and analyzed RNA from a thylacine that had been kept in the collection of the Swedish Museum of Natural History for 130 years.Before now, RNA had only been taken from living organisms and a few ancient plants. While researchers had
, many experts considered recovering RNA to be too difficult, as the molecule is more fragile than DNA and they wouldn’t normally expect it to survive in something so old unless it had been frozen.RNA “gives you the amount, the diversity and the effectiveness of the [DNA] within the biology of the cell”, he says, because it translates, applies and regulates the genetic material in each cell.
Extracting the thylacine’s RNA allowed the researchers to identify gaps in the previously extracted genome, and understand how its cells used the genetic traits within its DNA, including RNAs related to slow-acting muscles. They even detected remnants of RNA viruses. “This is, in a sense, impossible to do just with DNA,” says Mármol Sánchez.A monthly celebration of the biodiversity of our planet’s animals, plants and other organisms.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
– Mysterious RNA Circles Produced by Cells Damaged in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s DiseaseResearchers are gaining new insights into neurological diseases by studying circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brain cells. Investigators found and cataloged mysterious RNA circles that are linked to brain cell identity Findings show that circular RNA is produced by brain cells damaged in Parkinson
Les mer »
Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, fly study findsNeurons stochastically generated up to eight different versions of a protein regulating neurotransmitter release, which could vary how they communicate with other cells.
Les mer »
35 times more species going extinct than a million years agoA study finds that human-driven mass extinction is eliminating entire branches of the tree of life.
Les mer »
Colombian leader summons intense oratory for a bleak warning: that humanity is making itself extinctColombia’s President Gustavo Petro has delivered an ominous prophecy with grandiose language
Les mer »
Colombian leader summons intense oratory for a bleak warning: that humanity is making itself extinctColombia’s President Gustavo Petro has delivered an ominous prophecy with grandiose language. He paints a grim picture of what lies ahead if nations fail to swiftly redesign life on this planet.
Les mer »
Colombian leader summons intense oratory for a bleak warning: that humanity is making itself extinctColombia’s President Gustavo Petro has delivered an ominous prophecy with grandiose language.
Les mer »