Recently, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its pivotal role in post-transcriptional gene regulation, which has significantly advanced our understanding of gene expression and regulation.

MicroRNA 

• MicroRNA are molecules that help cells control their protein production. 
• The proteins that cells produce play vital roles in almost all biological processes of living organisms. 
• In human bodies, for example, the protein haemoglobin transports oxygen, insulin helps absorption of glucose from blood, etc. 
• Thus, anything that impacts protein production can have consequences for human health.

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Mechanism of Action

• Binding to mRNA: MicroRNA attaches itself to another molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cell’s cytoplasm. 
• Function of mRNA: Normally, mRNA is responsible for carrying the instructions from DNA to make proteins. 
• Regulation of Protein Production: However, when microRNA binds to mRNA, it can change what happens next.
  • Instead of mRNA being quickly turned into a protein, the microRNA can either mark the mRNA for destruction—so its parts can be reused—or it can let the mRNA sit around for a while before it’s translated into protein later on.

Thus, MicroRNAs function like a traffic light, determining whether a protein will be produced or not, thereby playing a vital role in cellular function and gene regulation.

Also Read: Nobel Prize 2024 Winners List

Role of Ambros and Ruvkun 

• Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun conducted their groundbreaking research on microRNA by studying the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), which shares cell types with more complex animals. 
• Their investigation focused on two mutant strains of these worms, lin-4 and lin-14, which exhibited defects in the timing of genetic program activation during development.
• The researchers studied how the lin-4 and lin-14 genes functioned under normal conditions. 

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Key Findings  

• Identification of MicroRNA: Through their experiments, they found that the lin-4 gene controls the lin-14 gene by producing a very short RNA molecule. This short RNA molecule is known as microRNA. 
• Regulation Mechanism: Ruvkun showed that lin-4 does not stop the lin-14 gene from making mRNA. 
  • Instead, it regulates the process later on, specifically by shutting down the production of the protein that lin-14 would normally create.
  • This means that while the mRNA might still be present, the microRNA can prevent the cell from making the protein that it encodes.

Importance of Their Work

The discovery of microRNA by Ambros and Ruvkun is significant for several reasons:

• Understanding Gene Regulation: MicroRNAs play a crucial role in gene regulation.
  • Disruptions in this process can lead to serious diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmunity. 
• Connection Between Genes: Their work established the connection between the lin-4 and lin-14 genes, shedding light on the complex mechanisms of gene expression and regulation.
• Research Opportunities: This discovery has opened new avenues for research, enabling scientists to explore the role of microRNAs in various diseases and develop potential therapeutic strategies for tackling these conditions.

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Conclusion

The groundbreaking discovery of microRNA by Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun has profoundly advanced our understanding of gene regulation, with significant implications for human health and disease.