Toxic RNA in DM1 Cells (IMAGE)

Aarhus University

Toxic RNA in DM1 Cells

Caption

Left: The toxic RNA in DM1 cells consists of a number of CUG triplets that are often repeated thousands of times, forming a specific structure as shown. The MBNL1 protein binds to this structure, thus failing to carry out its normal function in the cell. The expression of a number of genes becomes deregulated in the cell and the disease occurs. Right: DDX6 can "unwind" the structure with its enzyme activity and MBNL1 leaves the complex to carry out its normal functions in the cell.

Credit

Christian Damgaard

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Credit to Christian Damgaard, Aarhus University

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