Key points from article :
Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil have uncovered a crucial molecular pathway that influences ageing by regulating RNA communication between cells. Their study, published in the journal Gene and led by Marcelo Mori, explored how disruptions in RNA exchange affect lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely studied roundworm.
Cells use RNA molecules to communicate, much like they do with proteins and metabolites. The researchers found that when this intercellular RNA signalling is imbalanced—either through increased uptake from the environment or excessive absorption by specific tissues—it shortens lifespan. They termed this phenomenon Intercellular/Extracellular Systemic RNA imbalance (InExS).
Key experiments showed that manipulating the expression of SID-1, a gene responsible for RNA uptake, affected lifespan. Overexpression of SID-1 in gut, muscle, or neuronal cells led to premature ageing, likely due to disrupted RNA distribution and reduced production of microRNAs—small regulatory RNA molecules essential for gene expression.
The study also revealed that excess RNA uptake from bacteria in the worms' microbiota had a similar lifespan-shortening effect. This suggests that while organisms may use environmental RNA to sense microbial presence, too much of it can interfere with cellular balance and accelerate ageing.
These findings provide new insights into how RNA signalling impacts ageing and could open avenues for understanding age-related diseases in humans.
