Too Much RNA Can Starve Cells of Energy, Study Finds

What BBN said about it

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorToo much RNA can starve a cell of energy, according to a study led by researchers at Texas A and M, ScienceAlert reports.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRNA is supposed to be the good stuff, Hank. It's in every cell. What went wrong?

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe team used human cells grown in a lab and added a vaccinia virus.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCells with excess RNA used less oxygen, which is how the team measured damage to the mitochondria, the parts that make most of the cell's energy.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the cell is conserving oxygen. I'd call that a sustainability initiative.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe cell's power plant is failing. That's the finding.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhen they isolated only the mitochondria and added RNA, they still saw damage. Even alone, with no immune system involved, the cells found a way to overextend.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThat's a team that clearly owns its workload.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe energy drop happened before the immune system had been activated, according to the study.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the cell did this to itself, and the researchers suspect a previously unknown cellular response.

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    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorVirologist Zhilong Yang says mRNA is a normal part of our cells, but with many good things, too much can become a problem.

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    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHe said it about a cell. I heard it as a review of my weekend.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe researchers say the RNA may build up around the mitochondria and upset their electrical balance, but how it happens is unknown.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the cell is running on empty, and so is the explanation.