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A plant immune protein fights against cancer

Rong Chen1, Jianqiang He2, Zhaoliang Su3

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 20130, China.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|August 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Altered microRNA (miRNA) levels are linked to cancer. A study found that plant RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR)-1 can combat tumors by correcting defective miRNAs in cancer cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Altered microRNA (miRNA) abundance is a known hallmark of cancer development.
  • Recent research highlights the accumulation of abnormal 1-nucleotide (nt)-shorter miRNA isoforms in various human tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of plant RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR)-1 as a therapeutic agent against cancer.
  • To determine if RDR-1 can correct miRNA defects observed in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing ectopic expression of the plant immune protein RDR-1 in cancer cell models.
  • Analyzing miRNA profiles and assessing antitumor effects.

Main Results:

  • Ectopic expression of RDR-1 demonstrated a broad-spectrum antitumor effect.
  • RDR-1 activity was shown to rescue miRNA defects associated with cancer.

Conclusions:

  • The plant immune protein RDR-1 holds promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Targeting miRNA defects with RDR-1 offers a potential pathway for broad-spectrum cancer therapy.
Keywords:
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 (RDR1)antitumorcancermiRNAnucleotidyltransferase

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