Micro RNAs Make Genes Hush Up
German researchers have discovered a novel mechanism for gene regulation. Publication in CELL
RNA molecules are the mobile messengers of genes. They carry information on the production of proteins from DNA to ribosomes. In addition to these messenger RNAs, all living beings have micro RNAs that are able to hinder the messenger RNAs and thus the production of proteins. Biologists at the University of Freiburg working with lecturer Dr. Wolfgang Frank und Professor Dr. Ralf Reski from the Chair Plant Biotechnology have discovered that such micro RNAs also come into direct contact with genes, effectively turning off the genes in the process. Their findings have now been published in the current issue of the leading scientific journal CELL.
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