Defective RNA Processing And ELOA-Mediated Transcriptional Elongation In Reversible Cellular Senescence Suggest Aging By Transcription

Researchers have discovered that errors in how RNA is processed and how genes are copied, specifically involving a protein called ELOA, contribute to cellular aging and a state where cells stop dividing.

Our cells are constantly working, and a crucial part of this work involves reading our genetic instructions, a process called transcription. This process creates RNA, which then guides the production of proteins. New research sheds light on how errors in this fundamental process might contribute to aging.

The study focused on how cells copy their genetic information and process the resulting RNA molecules. It identified specific proteins, known as transcriptional elongation factors, that play a vital role in ensuring these processes happen correctly. When certain factors, like NELF or SPT6, are disrupted for extended periods, cells enter a state where they stop dividing, a hallmark of aging.

Intriguingly, another protein called Elongin A (ELOA) was found to be a key player in these effects. When ELOA was removed, it helped to correct some of the problems in gene copying and even gave aging human skin cells a growth advantage. This suggests that the way our genes are copied and processed, particularly through mechanisms involving ELOA, is directly linked to how our cells age.

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Source: link to paper