Journal of Pharmacogenomics & Pharmacoproteomics

Role of RNA Editing in Personalized Medicine: Insights into Gene Regulation Challenges

Xiong Ruochen^* Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuhan, Wuhan, China
^*Correspondence: Xiong Ruochen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuhan, Wuhan, China, Email:

Received: 26-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. JPP-24-27177; Editor assigned: 30-Aug-2024, Pre QC No. JPP-24-27177 (PQ); Reviewed: 13-Sep-2024, QC No. JPP-24-27177; Revised: 20-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. JPP-24-27177 (R); Published: 27-Sep-2024, DOI: 10.35248/2153-0645.24.15.107

Description

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification that alters RNA sequences, enhancing transcript diversity and impacting gene expression. This dynamic process plays a major role in the regulation of various cellular functions and is linked to several human diseases. Understanding RNA editing mechanisms can clear the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, especially in conditions where Ribonucleic Acid RNA editing is dysregulated. RNA editing primarily occurs through two mechanisms. Adenosine-to-Inosine (A-to-I) editing and Cytidine-to-Uridine (C-to-U) editing. Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to- I) editing is facilitated by Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs). ADARs convert adenosines in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into inosines, which are recognized as guanosines during translation. This modification can lead to changes in protein coding sequences, potentially altering protein function. For example, the editing of the glutamate receptor subunit GRIA2 influences ion channel properties and neuronal signaling. Cytidine-to-Uridine (C-to-U) editing is primarily mediated by the APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases. While less common than A-to-I editing, C-to-U editing can also impact gene expression and contribute to immune responses by modifying RNA sequences in immune-related genes. RNA editing affects various molecular pathways by influencing mRNA stability, splicing and translational efficiency. Edited transcripts may be more stable than their unedited counterparts, leading to increased protein production.

RNA editing can regulate alternative splicing, resulting in the generation of different protein isoforms from a single gene. The interplay between RNA editing and gene expression regulation is complex. Edited RNAs can interact with regulatory proteins and non-coding RNAs, influencing transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes. For example, edited mRNAs may recruit different ribonucleoprotein complexes, affecting the translation and decay of these transcripts. Aberrant RNA editing patterns have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. In cancer, altered editing patterns can lead to the production of oncogenic protein variants or the loss of tumor suppressor functions. Studies have shown that A-to-I editing levels are often significantly altered in tumors, suggesting that RNA editing may serve as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target.

Given its critical role in gene regulation and disease, RNA editing presents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Modulating RNA editing processes may offer novel strategies for treating diseases characterized by dysregulated editing patterns. Researchers are exploring small molecules and inhibitors that can selectively modulate the activity of ADARs and APOBECs. By enhancing or inhibiting RNA editing in specific contexts, it may be possible to correct aberrant gene expression profiles associated with diseases. Additionally, CRISPR technology offers a powerful tool for editing RNA sequences directly. Researchers are developing CRISPR systems capable of targeting specific RNA transcripts for editing, allowing for precise modifications that could restore normal gene function. For instance, CRISPR guided RNA editing has shown promise in correcting mutations associated with genetic disorders. Gene therapy approaches that incorporate RNA editing strategies may provide a means to address genetic diseases. By delivering editing machinery alongside the therapeutic gene, researchers aim to ensure that the resulting RNA transcripts are properly modified, enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

RNA editing abnormalities are implicated in various diseases beyond cancer. For example, in neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia, altered A-to-I editing has been observed in specific neuronal mRNAs. These changes can disrupt neuronal signaling and contribute to disease pathology. Understanding the mechanisms behind these alterations is major for developing targeted interventions. Recent advancements in sequencing technologies have enabled high throughput analysis of RNA editing patterns across different tissues and disease states. These studies have revealed that RNA editing is not static; it varies with age, environmental factors and disease progression. Continued exploration of these dynamics will enhance our understanding of RNA editing's role in health and disease.

Despite the promising therapeutic potential of RNA editing, several challenges remain. Ethical considerations surrounding gene editing technologies must be addressed, particularly concerning off-target effects and long-term consequences of manipulating RNA. Rigorous testing and validation of RNA editing strategies are essential to ensure safety and efficacy in clinical applications. RNA editing is a major regulatory mechanism that influences gene expression and contributes to human diseases. By exploring the mechanisms of RNA editing and its interplay with gene regulation, researchers can uncover novel therapeutic strategies for diseases characterized by dysregulated editing patterns. As research advances, the potential to harness RNA editing for therapeutic interventions may lead to significant breakthroughs in personalized medicine and disease management.