RN7SL1 may be translated under oncogenic conditions

Hara T., Meng S., Tsuji Y., et al. RN7SL1 may be translated under oncogenic conditions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, (2024); https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2312322121.RN7SL1 (RNA component of signal recognition particle 7SL1), a component of the signal recognition particle, is a non-coding RNA possessing a small ORF (smORF). However, whether it is translated into peptides is unknown. Here, we generated the RN7SL1-Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, in which the smORF of RN7SL1 was replaced by GFP, introduced it into 293T cells, and observed cells emitting GFP fluorescence. Furthermore, RNA-seq of GFP-positive cells revealed that they were in an oncogenic state, suggesting that RN7SL1 smORF may be translated under special conditions

RNA Modification in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by damage to the intestinal mucosa, which is caused by a combination of factors. These include genetic and epigenetic alterations, environmental influence, microorganism interactions, and immune conditions. Some populations with IBD show a cancer-prone phenotype. Recent studies have provided insight into the involvement of RNA modifications in the specific pathogenesis of IBD through regulation of RNA biology in epithelial and immune cells. Studies of several RNA modification-targeting reagents have shown preferable outcomes in patients with colitis. Here, we note a new awareness of RNA modification in the targeting of IBD and related diseases, which will contribute to early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and possible control by innovative therapeutic approaches

Pancreatic Cancer Research beyond DNA Mutations

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is caused by genetic mutations in four genes: KRAS proto-oncogene and GTPase (KRAS), tumor protein P53 (TP53), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), also called the big 4. The changes in tumors are very complex, making their characterization in the early stages challenging. Therefore, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is desirable. The key to overcoming PDAC is diagnosing it in the early stages. Therefore, recent studies have investigated the multifaced characteristics of PDAC, which includes cancer cell metabolism, mesenchymal cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, and metagenomics, which extend to characterize various biomolecules including RNAs and volatile organic compounds. Various alterations in the KRAS-dependent as well as KRAS-independent pathways are involved in the refractoriness of PDAC. The optimal combination of these new technologies is expected to help treat intractable pancreatic cancer

Role of the node in controlling traffic of cadmium, zinc, and manganese in rice

Heavy metals are transported to rice grains via the phloem. In rice nodes, the diffuse vascular bundles (DVBs), which enclose the enlarged elliptical vascular bundles (EVBs), are connected to the panicle and have a morphological feature that facilitates xylem-to-phloem transfer. To find a mechanism for restricting cadmium (Cd) transport into grains, the distribution of Cd, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and sulphur (S) around the vascular bundles in node I (the node beneath the panicle) of Oryza sativa ‘Koshihikari’ were compared 1 week after heading. Elemental maps of Cd, Zn, Mn, and S in the vascular bundles of node I were obtained by synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and electron probe microanalysis. In addition, Cd K-edge microfocused X-ray absorption near-edge structure analyses were used to identify the elements co-ordinated with Cd. Both Cd and S were mainly distributed in the xylem of the EVB and in the parenchyma cell bridge (PCB) surrounding the EVB. Zn accumulated in the PCB, and Mn accumulated around the protoxylem of the EVB. Cd was co-ordinated mainly with S in the xylem of the EVB, but with both S and O in the phloem of the EVB and in the PCB. The EVB in the node retarded horizontal transport of Cd toward the DVB. By contrast, Zn was first stored in the PCB and then efficiently transferred toward the DVB. Our results provide evidence that transport of Cd, Zn, and Mn is differentially controlled in rice nodes, where vascular bundles are functionally interconnected

RN7SL1 may be translated under oncogenic conditions

RN7SL1 (RNA component of signal recognition particle 7SL1), a component of the signal recognition particle, is a non-coding RNA possessing a small ORF (smORF). However, whether it is translated into peptides is unknown. Here, we generated the RN7SL1-Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, in which the smORF of RN7SL1 was replaced by GFP, introduced it into 293T cells, and observed cells emitting GFP fluorescence. Furthermore, RNA-seq of GFP-positive cells revealed that they were in an oncogenic state, suggesting that RN7SL1 smORF may be translated under special conditions.</p

EpisomiR, a New Family of miRNAs, and Its Possible Roles in Human Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are synthesized through a canonical pathway and play a role in human diseases, such as cancers and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The development of sequencing technologies has enabled the identification of variations in noncoding miRNAs. These miRNA variants, called isomiRs, are generated through a non-canonical pathway, by several enzymes that alter the length and sequence of miRNAs. The isomiR family is, now, expanding further to include episomiRs, which are miRNAs with different modifications. Since recent findings have shown that isomiRs reflect the cell-specific biological function of miRNAs, knowledge about episomiRs and isomiRs can, possibly, contribute to the optimization of diagnosis and therapeutic technology for precision medicine

外来通院により治療を受けているがん患者が災害時に治療継続をするためのシステムの検討

本研究では、がん医療を担う施設において、外来通院治療を受けているがん患者が、災害時に治療を継続するためのシステムと災害への備えを明らかにし、その上で、外来通院治療を受けているがん患者が治療を継続できるシステムのあり方について提示することを目的とした。近い将来に災害が起きることを想定して対策を講じている地域がん診療拠点病院をはじめとする5つの医療施設において、災害対策に詳しい担当者12名を対象に、外来通院治療を受けているがん患者が、災害時に治療を継続するためのシステムの内容と、施設における災害への備えの内容について、1時間程度のヒヤリング調査を実施した。その結果、災害時に継続治療を必要とする外来患者を把握するシステムや、災害時に外来化学療法を受けている患者や麻薬を使用している患者の治療継続のためのシステムを備えている施設けなかった。しかし、ヒヤリング結果より、災害時のシステムとしては確立されていないが、平常時のシステムを活用し、災害時に継続治療の必要な患者を把握することが可能な手段・方法として、(1)平常時に各専門職が得る患者情報を使用して患者を把握する、(2)電子情報媒体を使って患者を把握する、(3)診療記録や名簿等の紙媒体から患者を把握する、という3つのルートが考えられるということが明らかになった。また、今後は、がん診療連携拠点病院制度のネットワークを生がし、がん専門病院として、災害時も、がん治療の拠点として期待できることが考えられるとともに、災害時に外来化学療法を受けている患者や麻薬を使用している患者の治療継続については、患者・家族のセルフケア能力を高めておくことが必要であることが示された。This study aimed to clarify the systems and disaster preparedness that are in place at health care facilities involved in cancer treatment to ensure that cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment can continue receiving treatment during a disaster, and to propose appropriate systems for ensuring continuation of treatment for cancer outpatients in times of disaster. In this study, interviews were conducted in five medical facilities that take precautionary measures in preparation for possible disasters in the near future, including a regional hub hospital for cancer treatment. Twelve people in charge of disaster preparedness and response were interviewed for approximately one hour about what system is in place at their respective hospitals to allow cancer outpatients to continue their treatment during a disaster and about how their hospitals prepare for disasters. The interviews revealed that the hospitals studied had no system in place to identify patients who need to continue treatment during a disaster, or to ensure that cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy or taking pain medicines can continue receiving treatment or medication. It was also revealed that, though there was no system specifically designed for use in disaster situations, it was possible to identify patients who needed to continue receiving treatment during a disaster by using the system employed during ordinary times in the following three ways: (1) using patient information acquired in ordinary times through health care professionals; (2) using electronic information media; and (3) using information stored on paper media such as medical records and name lists. The interview survey suggests that it can be expected that cancer specialist hospitals can serve as centers for cancer treatment in times of disaster by forming a network of cancer care hub hospitals. It is also suggested that it is necessary to improve self-care skills and abilities of cancer patients and their families to ensure that cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy and taking pain medicines can continue their treatment/medication during a disaster