ResearchBlogging.org: RNAi and Chromatin Modific... Io9: What mysterious genetic ma... BioPortfolio Cancer: BioPortfolio News Novel mR... MedicalFeed: Scripps Research Scientist... MedicalFeed: Scripps Research Scientist... MedicalFeed: Scripps Research Scientist... MedicalFeed: Scripps Research Scientist... ChemicalBiology: ACS Chem Bio paper in the... News-Medical.Net: USPTO issues new patent to... Henry Furneaux Ph.D.: Genome-wide Identification... ScienceEditingExpert: RT @rnomics: RNomics-biosc... PLoS ONE: Laser-assisted microdissec... News-Medical.Net: Prosensa secures €23M in n... Henry Furneaux Ph.D.: Ferric, not ferrous, heme... Scientist Solutions: #genetics RNA therapeutics... PMWC International: In main room now: "Biomark... PMWC International: In main room now: "Biomark... PMWCintl: RT @ribozyme: Genomind 87%... PMWC International: RT @bigfeet5grl: I wanna d...
PMWC International: RT @bigfeet5grl: I wanna d... News-Medical.Net: Defect in neuronal RNA spl... Scicasts News Media: Scientists Create Novel RN... E! Science News: Scripps research scientist... PhysOrg Science News: Scientists create novel RN... Kamoun Lab @ TSL: "Rice miRNA in human blood... News-Medical.Net: Combination of gefitinib a... Henry Furneaux Ph.D.: RNA Dynamics in Aging Bact... RNA editing responsible for colder water survival in octopus. (PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers have discovered that when it comes to the survival of an octopus living in frigid waters, the reasoning is not a difference in the gene DNA but rather a difference in the RNA editing. The new study, led by molecular neurophysiologist Joshua Rosenthal and his graduate student, Sandra Garrett, from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan was published in Science. When it comes to cold temperatures, certain proteins that are responsible for nerve signals can be hampered.
As a nerve cell fires, protein channels open or close to allow potassium ions in or out. Cold temperatures can delay the channels’ closing and stop the neurons ability to fire. Rosenthal and Garrett believed that in order for an octopus to survive in the frigid cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic seas, they would have had to have changes in the DNA sequence. They realized that RNA editing must be in play. Explore further: Plants evolve ways to control embryo growth.