Lexington, KY—A team of researchers has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy that may lead to the development of ways to prevent the condition.
The investigators’ article, “DICER1 deficit induces Alu RNA toxicity in age-related macular degeneration,” was published online by the journal Nature on Feb. 6. The study also elaborates, for the first time, a disease-causing role for a large section of the human genome once regarded as non-coding “junk DNA.”
The team, led by University of Kentucky (UK) ophthalmologist Jayakrishna Ambati, MD, discovered that an accumulation of a toxic type of RNA, called Alu RNA, causes retinal cells to die in patients with geographic atrophy. In a healthy eye, a “DICER” enzyme degrades the Alu RNA particles.
The investigators’ article, “DICER1 deficit induces Alu RNA toxicity in age-related macular degeneration,” was published online by the journal Nature on Feb. 6. The study also elaborates, for the first time, a disease-causing role for a large section of the human genome once regarded as non-coding “junk DNA.”
The team, led by University of Kentucky (UK) ophthalmologist Jayakrishna Ambati, MD, discovered that an accumulation of a toxic type of RNA, called Alu RNA, causes retinal cells to die in patients with geographic atrophy. In a healthy eye, a “DICER” enzyme degrades the Alu RNA particles.
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