Studies show that human cells stimulate themselves when the virus disrupts RNA production

The viruses are masters in handling our cells: they disable our defense and hijack cellular machinery to successfully multiply. For example, herpes simplex virus 1, which causes skin to irritate skin, and the influenza virus, especially prevents a significant move in gene activity, which completes the production of RNA molecules-known as the removal of duplication. As a result of the blockade, unnaturally long RNA molecules are the result of protein that cannot be translated into protein. It suppresses antiviral defense in the cells and creates maximum conditions to multiply the virus.

A new study that appeared Nature Now it shows that human cells are not helpless against this viral sabotage. They recognize the obstruction of duplication as an alarm signal, activating the “self-destructive program” and sacrificing themselves-even before the virus hit them. This enables them to put the spread of infection into the buds.

Evolution has turned into a defense of viral sabotage

International research team from Philadelphia (US), Charlestown (US), Chengdo (China) and Hanover (Germany) discovered that unnaturally tall RNA molecules adopt a special structure: they are known as Z-RNAS. This extraordinary RNA form is recognized by cellular protein ZBP1. And then the death of the control cell begins.

It is especially noteworthy that the ZRNA mainly forms unnaturally tall RNAs in parts of the molecules that begin with the remnants of the previous viral infection in addition to other things. These silent areas of our genome are only copied to the RNA, which is a hindrance to the virus in the removal of duplication.

“So our cells use these genetic remains of ancient viral infections to detect and prevent existing viral attacks,” said Professor Lars Delkin, one of the four authors of this paper. He is the head of the Institute of Virenology at Hanover Medical School (MHH) and is a co -spacted by the Cluster of Excellence Resistance.

Evolution has turned the tables like this: which once started as a viral attack, now works as an alarm signal for antiviral immune defense. This discovery impresses how closely the viruses and hosts have been connected over millions of years – and how our cells can change viral sabotage into the most effective protective strategies.

New approach to treatment

This discovery is significant from the viral infection. Unnaturally tall RNA molecules result in disrupting transcript as a result of cellular stress and cancer involved. Therefore, this discovery can affect new treatment strategies.

In the future, drugs that specifically produce Z-RNAS or change their identity can be used to stabilize the immune system, treat autoimmune diseases, improve vaccines, or improve cancer immune therapies.