Newswise — The human body comprises an immense number of cells, totaling trillions in count, with approximately 60 percent of a cell's energy focused on a particular molecular machine. This essential machine's primary function is the production of proteins, crucial building blocks for the body.
Known as a ribosome, this molecular machine's responsibility involves creating proteins based on a copy of the genetic code present in the genome, referred to as mRNA. Previously, scientists believed that ribosomes executed a uniform process with all mRNA, akin to a standardized assembly line without any self-regulation.
However, groundbreaking research conducted by the University of Copenhagen has unveiled a different reality.
"While the existence of various types of ribosomes has been acknowledged, it was widely believed that ribosomes would generate proteins regardless of the mRNA they encountered. However, our findings suggest that distinct ribosome types are associated with the production of specific proteins," reveals Anders H. Lund, Professor at the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre at the University of Copenhagen.
Anders H. Lund and his team made a significant breakthrough by discovering that cancer cells possess distinct ribosomes compared to regular cells. This groundbreaking observation became the foundation for their new findings.
"We were intrigued by this revelation and began to speculate on the reasons behind it. It's possible that cancer cells require specific proteins to facilitate their growth, metastasis, or other developmental processes. This led us to ponder the significance of different ribosome types in the body's overall development," explains Anders H. Lund.
Their study, in collaboration with adjunct Sophia Häfner as the primary author, encompassed investigations conducted in both mouse brains and human stem cells. Anders H. Lund emphasizes that this research strongly indicates the relevance of their results across various life forms.
A small change with significant implications
The researchers initiated their investigation by scrutinizing mouse brains from the fetal stage onwards. They made a fascinating discovery - the ribosomes in the brain underwent changes throughout development, indicating that these ribosomal alterations play a crucial role in regular developmental processes.
To explore whether the same phenomenon applies to humans, the scientists utilized human stem cells with the ability to differentiate into various cell types found in the human body.
"We prompted the cells to differentiate into different cell types and monitored their development. During this process, we examined the ribosomes for any changes, and indeed, we observed significant transformations," reveals Anders H. Lund.
The ribosomes possess a specific pattern comprising 114 small chemical modifications. These modifications vary during cell differentiation and, as per the researchers' insights, may form a sort of code that governs the proteins produced by the ribosomes.
To illustrate the significance of ribosomal appearance, Anders H. Lund explains, "By removing a single modification and differentiating stem cells into nerve cells, we observed that the ribosome produced different types of nerve cells than the norm. This demonstrates that the ribosome plays a crucial role in determining the cell's developmental trajectory over time."
Consequently, the researchers convincingly demonstrated that the ribosome is far from being a passive "translator" of mRNA into protein; instead, it serves as an active and regulatory entity in cellular processes.
Improved treatments in the future
Presently, stem cell research has made significant strides in generating specific cell types, including nerve cells. This newly gained understanding holds immense importance in comprehending the developmental processes of the body's cells and has the potential to pave the way for improved treatments in the future.
"Our findings imply that we might gain better control over this process, now that we possess deeper insights into the regulation of specific protein production. Additionally, it may shed light on the pivotal biological mechanisms underlying the development of distinct cell types. This knowledge holds promise for potential applications in the field of regenerative medicine," explains Anders H. Lund.
Regenerative medicine encompasses treatments wherein healthy cells are transplanted into patients to restore normal body function, offering potential therapeutic solutions for diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson's.
Looking ahead, these discoveries might also lead to enhanced cancer treatments.
"Our journey began with the observation of dissimilar ribosomes in cancer cells compared to healthy ones. This variance in ribosomes opens up the possibility of developing substances capable of binding to and potentially inhibiting or impairing certain ribosomes that abound in cancer cells. Such advances could present novel treatment options," highlights Anders H. Lund.
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