Too much RNA can starve cells of energy, study finds
A new study from researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has uncovered a previously unknown consequence of viral infection: Too much RNA inside a cell can disrupt its ability to produce energy.
A new study from Texas A&M researchers has revealed that excessive RNA within cells can impair their ability to generate energy. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings suggest that RNA degradation plays a broader role than previously thought, extending beyond controlling protein production and removing defective RNA.
During viral infections, such as poxvirus, cells may accumulate excess RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can damage mitochondria—the cell structures responsible for energy production. This results in reduced energy generation and impaired cell function. The researchers found that this mitochondrial damage occurs independently of the immune system's typical response to infection, hinting at a direct RNA-to-mitochondrial interaction.
This discovery could have significant implications for understanding viral infections, age-related diseases, and RNA-based therapies, including mRNA vaccines, as it highlights the importance of controlling RNA levels to maintain cellular energy homeostasis.
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