Three-dimensional structure of the complex of Pol IV-RDR2 Courtesy of the Center for Excellence in Molecular and Botanical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhongxin Online, December 24 (Reporter Zheng Yingying) Zhang Yu's research team and Wang Jiawei's research team of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the Feng Yu team of Zhejiang University, cooperated on the 24th to publish a research paper online in the internationally renowned academic journal Science. The study elucidates the unique mechanism of double-stranded RNA synthesis in plants and is an important breakthrough in the frontiers of molecular biology and plant science.
Zhang Yu, a researcher at the Center for Excellence in Molecular and Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that RNA has a lot of room for application in the biological industry. For example, some current COVID-19 vaccines use single-stranded mRNA; for example, double-stranded RNA can be applied as a new type of insect-resistant biopesticide. "Our study offers a completely new way of synthesizing double-stranded RNA that could potentially advance relevant applications," he said. But as a basic research, there is still a long way to go to promote the final application. ”
Researcher Zhang Yu in the analysis of protein structure Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Pol IV is the fourth RNA polymerase encoded by plant nuclei, and in the past 30 years, the three-dimensional structure of its three "eldest brothers", Pol I, Pol II and Pol III, has been resolved, while Pol IV remains mysterious. In this study, Chinese researchers not only successfully analyzed the structure of Pol IV, but also discovered the secret of efficient cooperation between Pol IV and its "partner", the protein machine RDR2.
Pol IV and RDR2 are much like two separate "workshops" in charge of the synthesis of different RNA. The study found that an internal passage was built between two otherwise separate "workshops" to achieve efficient collaboration. Wang Jiawei, deputy director of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, "I didn't expect that the way life evolved was so ingenious, digging a channel inside, 'two families' can visit the door." When we found out about this, we were very excited, which is probably the greatest pleasure we have in doing scientific research. ”
According to reports, the efficient cooperation of Pol IV and RDR2 can "brand" transposons (a class of mobile genetic factors) and prevent it (transposons) from reproducing at will in the host genome, thereby helping plant cells maintain genetic stability. The study opens another door to the study of the mechanism of RNA synthesis in plants, helping to better understand the production mysteries of "RNA factories". (End)