The code for survival

When cells are exposed to life-threatening stresses, they take quick action to save themselves. Among other defenses, they start manufacturing proteins that perform critical tasks such as repairing DNA. Researchers at MIT and the University of Albany have now discovered one way that cells boost production of such proteins. In the Dec. 16 issue of PLoS Genetics , they report that when under stress, cells reprogram a complicated system of chemical modifications of the RNA molecules that read the genetic code and deliver protein building blocks. This mechanism is likely involved in cell responses not only to stressful stimuli, such as exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation, but also to hormones, growth factors and nutrients, says Peter Dedon, MIT professor of biological engineering and a senior author of the paper. Dedon is now studying how bacteria use this system to respond to the stress of being attacked by human white blood cells, which may help researchers develop new antibiotics that knock out those defense systems.