Scientists from Flinders University in Australia have made a surprising discovery about a recently identified type of genetic material called circular RNAs. Their research suggests that these molecules may play a role in increasing a person’s risk of developing cancer by directly affecting DNA.
Unlike typical RNA, which helps in making proteins, circular RNAs are small loops of genetic material that don’t follow the usual pathways. This study found that some circular RNAs can attach to DNA inside our cells, triggering changes that could lead to cancer.
This process, which the researchers have named ER3D (Endogenous RNA Directed DNA Damage), represents a major shift in how scientists understand the origins of cancer.
A New Way Cancer Might Begin
Professor Simon Conn, who leads the Circular RNAs in Cancer Laboratory at Flinders University, explained that this is the first time scientists have found a naturally occurring molecule in humans that can alter DNA in a way that might start cancer. This discovery opens new doors for early cancer detection and treatment by targeting these molecules before they cause harm.
To test their theory, the researchers examined stored blood samples from newborns, comparing those who later developed leukemia with those who remained healthy. They found that babies who went on to develop leukemia had significantly higher levels of a particular circular RNA in their blood at birth.
This suggests that these genetic loops could play a role in activating cancer-causing genes, also known as oncogenes. Until now, scientists have struggled to explain how certain cancers appear to begin without clear genetic triggers. This study suggests that circular RNAs may be an overlooked factor in the development of some cancers.
How Circular RNAs Damage DNA
According to the researchers, circular RNAs can attach to DNA at various points in the cell. This attachment can lead to DNA breakage, forcing the cell to repair itself. However, when DNA is repaired, errors often occur. These mistakes can create harmful mutations, some of which can lead to cancer.
Even more concerning is that these broken DNA fragments can relocate inside the cell’s nucleus. If two separate DNA regions are incorrectly joined together during the repair process, it can lead to a condition called chromosomal translocation. This means that genes that should not be connected end up fused, potentially turning a normal cell into a cancerous one.
Dr. Vanessa Conn, the study’s lead author, explained that multiple circular RNAs can act together, causing damage at different DNA locations at the same time. This can create major genetic changes, leading to the rapid development of leukemia.
Why This Matters
The gene fusions caused by circular RNAs happen at well-known genetic “hotspots” associated with leukemia. These mutations have been used in the past to guide treatment options, as they often indicate more aggressive cancer types. However, until now, scientists didn’t fully understand how these gene fusions formed.
Leukemia is a significant health concern, especially in Australia, which has the world’s highest rate of the disease. Understanding how these mutations develop could lead to new strategies for prevention and treatment.
More Than Just Leukemia
The researchers believe that this process isn’t limited to leukemia. Circular RNAs could play a role in many other types of cancer and possibly other diseases. The team is now investigating how these molecules contribute to different cancers and whether they could serve as targets for future treatments.
This study could change how scientists think about cancer formation. If further research confirms these findings, it could lead to new ways to detect and treat cancer much earlier, potentially saving many lives.
The study was published in Cancer Cell.
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