Scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center have revealed a hidden layer of cellular intelligence that questions the traditional understanding of how cells operate
Although it is believed that DNA dictates all cellular functions, this research suggests that cells have an additional, rapid decision-making system that operates independently of genetic instructions.
The processing system within cells
The study, led by Dipesh Niraula, PhD, and Robert Gatenby, M.D., sheds light on a nongenomic information processing system within cells.
This system enables cells to adapt to environmental changes by collecting information from their surroundings and making rapid decisions.
The role of ion gradients across cell membranes played a key role in this discovery. These gradients, maintained by specialised pumps, act as a reservoir of information that cells continuously monitor. When environmental cues are detected, they interact with ion channels on the cell membrane, triggering the opening of gates and allowing ions to flow along existing gradients.
Ion Flux
This ion flux sets off a series of events within the cell, leading to rapid responses tailored to specific signals. The study found that the cell’s cytoskeleton, typically known for providing structural support, also plays a crucial role in this process. Proteins within the cytoskeleton act as conductors, transmitting ion-based information to various organelles within the cell.
According to Niraula, an applied research scientist involved in the study, “Our research reveals the capability of cells to harness transmembrane ion gradients as a means of communication, allowing them to sense and respond to changes in their surroundings rapidly.”
The researchers speculate that this nongenomic information system is essential in the formation and maintenance of normal tissue in multicellular organisms. Disruptions to this system could play a significant role in diseases such as cancer.
Understanding cells for better therapeutic strategies
Gatenby, co-director of the Center of Excellence for Evolutionary Therapy at Moffitt, emphasises the broader implications of this finding: “This study challenges the implicit assumption in biology that the genome is the sole source of information and that the nucleus acts as a kind of central processor. We present an entirely new network of information that allows rapid adaptation and sophisticated communication necessary for cell survival and probably deeply involved in the intercellular signalling that permits functioning multicellular organisms.”
By revealing the complexities of cellular function, scientists hope to gain deeper insights into disease mechanisms and potentially develop innovative therapeutic strategies.
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