Biotech Updates

Study Reveals Prolific RNA Editing in Squid

March 25, 2015

Researchers from Marine Biological Laboratory affiliated with University of Chicago were able to assess the usage of prolific RNA editing in squid, Doryteuthis pealeii. This was done by comparing the DNA and RNA sequences of the squid's brain.

Their findings reveal that 60 percent of the RNA transcripts are edited. In addition, a total of 57,000 recoding sites have been identified. These recoding sites contribute to the development of protein diversity, indicating its importance in RNA editing. This gives the ability to the squid to modify its physiological-responses at different environmental conditions. This result suggests the potential contribution of recoding in functional diversity.

Full story can be read at MBL's website.