Scientists at Flinders University in Australia have made a discovery that could change how we understand cancer’s origins. They found that circular RNAs, a recently discovered type of genetic material, may influence the likelihood of developing cancer by causing DNA mutations.
These genetic fragments, which naturally exist in human cells, seem to bind to DNA, triggering small changes that can lead to cancer.
This newly identified process, which researchers have named “ER3D” (Endogenous RNA Directed DNA damage), offers fresh insights and possible new targets for cancer treatment.
The team, led by Professor Simon Conn, studies how circular RNAs might impact cancer development. According to Professor Conn, this is the first time a genetic molecule found in many people has been shown to potentially mutate DNA in a way that could trigger cancer from within our own cells.
If these circular RNAs indeed cause DNA mutations, scientists could use them as early markers to detect cancer risk or as targets for new cancer therapies.
To understand this relationship, researchers compared blood samples taken at birth from babies who later developed leukemia with those from children who remained healthy.
This analysis revealed that babies who developed leukemia had higher levels of a particular circular RNA. This suggests that the amount of these circular RNAs in cells may play a role in whether certain genes develop cancer-causing mutations.
The mechanism behind this process is complex. Circular RNAs appear to attach to DNA at specific points in a cell, which can cause the DNA to break. While cells can usually repair DNA breaks, these repairs are often imperfect.
Even small errors during repair can lead to mutations, and when circular RNAs are involved, they may influence where broken DNA fragments end up in the cell. If DNA from two different regions fuses incorrectly, this can lead to gene fusions that turn a normal cell cancerous.
Dr. Vanessa Conn, the lead author of the study, notes that when multiple circular RNAs interact, they can cause DNA breaks at multiple sites. This can result in a dangerous process called chromosomal translocation, where parts of different chromosomes fuse.
Chromosomal translocations are well-known in cancer research because they often create oncogenes—genes that can turn normal cells into cancer cells. In leukemia, for instance, these mutations can lead to aggressive forms of the disease.
Circular RNAs may also play a role in cancers beyond leukemia. Australia, where this research took place, has one of the highest rates of leukemia worldwide.
The gene fusions caused by circular RNAs are seen at known “hotspots” for mutations in leukemia patients, areas associated with worse treatment outcomes.
This study offers new insights into how these harmful gene fusions might develop, helping to explain some of the genetic changes that make leukemia so aggressive.
Although this study focused on leukemia, researchers believe ER3D could be linked to various cancers and even other diseases.
The team at Flinders University plans to continue their research on how circular RNAs contribute to cancer and explore if they influence other serious health conditions. This work could lead to new ways of identifying cancer early and developing innovative treatments.
For those interested in cancer research, it’s worth noting that this study adds to growing concerns about environmental and dietary factors that may impact cancer risk.
Other studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners could be linked to a higher cancer risk, while there is ongoing research into how lifestyle and dietary choices may influence heart disease and cancer.
The discovery of ER3D represents a significant step in understanding how our genetic material can drive disease, offering hope for more targeted and effective cancer treatments in the future.
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