2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded jointly to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA (miRNA) and its pivotal role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This insight has significantly advanced our understanding of gene expression mechanisms in multicellular organisms, including humans.

What are microRNAs?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules, approximately 21–23 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but regulate the expression of other genes. Their primary role is in post-transcriptional regulation, where they control gene expression by binding to complementary sequences on target messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

The discovery of miRNAs began in the early 1990s with studies on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Victor Ambros and his research group identified a small RNA, lin-4, that controlled the timing of larval development in the worm. Ambros demonstrated that lin-4 inhibited the translation of lin-14 mRNA into protein, a process crucial for normal development. Gary Ruvkun later identified that this regulation occurred through partial base-pairing of lin-4 with complementary sequences specifically located in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of lin-14 mRNA. Ruvkun’s work clarified the importance of the 3' UTR as a regulatory hub in miRNA action.

This finding revealed a new way that cells control gene expression. miRNAs act like switches or dimmers, turning genes off or reducing their activity. By doing this, they help ensure that proteins are made in the right amounts and at the righttimes, which is crucial for normal biological processes such as development and tissue repair.

How does this relate to health and disease?

When miRNAs don’t work properly, it can lead to serious health issues. For example, some miRNAs have been linked to cancer because they control genes that either promote or suppress tumor growth. Scientists are also studying how miRNAs play a role in diseases like heart conditions and Alzheimer’s. In addition, miRNAs are being explored as tools for diagnosing diseases and even as targets for new treatments.

Conclusion

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) has significantly advanced our understanding of RNA biology, showing how small RNAs regulate many genes. Researchers have since identified hundreds of miRNAs in humans, which are involved in nearly all biological processes. This finding has also contributed to the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments for various diseases.

References

Nobel Prize Outreach. (2024). Advanced Information: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2024/advanced-information/