CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- University of Illinois scientists say they have identified the first RNA repair system to be discovered in bacteria.
University researchers, led by Professor Raven Huang, said the novelty of the finding is that, before the damaged RNA is sealed, a methyl group is added to the two-prime hydroxyl group at the cleavage site of the damaged RNA, making it impossible to cleave the site again. Thus, Huang said, the repaired RNA is "better than new."
The scientists said their discovery has implications for protecting cells against ribotoxins -- a class of toxins that kills cells by cleaving essential RNAs involved in protein translation.
The researchers said their discovery is reported in papers appearing in the journals Science and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The Science paper describes the mechanism of the entire RNA repair process, while the article in PNAS focuses on the chemistry of the methylation reaction.
