• A new research study, "Endoplasmic Reticulum - Associated RNA Silencing Promotes ER Quality Control’ was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology claims RNAi to regulate intestinal and gut functioning.
  • After the skin, gastrointestinal tract tissues are most exposed to environmental bacteria and viruses. 
  • The cells that form the linings of these tracts have a special defence mechanism that acts as a barrier to external disturbances.
  • Dr Thorsten Hoppe, professor and research team leader, proclaims that RNA interface, or RNAi, has a viral defence mechanism.
  • This mechanism prevents the overproduction of viral protein in the intestinal cells of the human body. This stops bacteria and viruses to multiply rapidly inside the gut and intestine.
  • RNAi has the potential to identify, attach, and degrade RNA from viruses, which stops viral proteins from growing in number and directly affects gut health.
  • This study also shows a link between Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER-membranous tubule network present inside the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell) functionality and quality control, which protects against viral infection.
  • Doctoral Candidate Sotirios Efstathiou, the first author of the study, said, "The interplay of protein homeostasis, RNAi, and viral infection could be an important approach for the prospective research and treatment of viral diseases."


Source- ET Healthworld

Recommended Readings- Consult World’s Best Gastroenterologist: Dr Najib Zeidan For Healthy Abdomen