Super Enzymes for RNA Editing

Therapy by RNA editing is a promising area, due to the ability to change genetic information in a transient and reversible manner without affecting the genetic code itself. The Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) family of enzymes change the genetic information by binding to specific double-stranded RNA structures and converting the nucleic acid adenosine into a nucleic acid read by the cellular translation machinery as guanosine. Currently, there is active interest in identifying highly potent natural ADARs. A group of researchers led by Prof. Shay Ben-Aroya from the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University applied a novel approach in order to identify such enzymes. By using baker's yeast, the researchers screened enzymes from several different organisms and identified two exceptionally active ADARs, from the mallard duck and hummingbirds. The researchers believe that this potency is due to the ability of the enzymes to bind to even weak, double-stranded RNA structures. The approach described in this work will allow the identification of additional ADAR enzymes with specific requirements for RNA therapeutic applications.

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