Researchers at Texas A&M University Health Science Center have uncovered a previously unknown RNA molecule that could affect patient outcomes in certain blood cancers. This new RNA helps maintain the nucleolus—a vital, dense structure within the cell that contains important genetic material.
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a transient molecule produced from DNA, serving as the messenger that carries genetic instructions to the cell’s protein-making machinery. By translating DNA’s blueprints into actionable instructions, RNA enables real-time cellular activity.
An unexpected find within a well-known gene
According to a study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Texas A&M Health, and internal grants support early-stage scientific exploration and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the team identified an RNA molecule that plays a regulatory role in the cell without being converted into a protein—a so-called ‘non-coding’ RNA.[1]
The laboratory of Irtisha Singh, Ph.D., at the Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine discovered a novel non-coding RNA, CUL1-IPA, derived from the widely studied CUL1 protein-coding gene. Unlike the standard RNA that produces the CUL1 protein, CUL1-IPA remains in the nucleus and supports the nucleolus’s structure and function, critical for ribosome production.
“This discovery challenges the traditional idea that protein-coding genes only create protein-related messages,” said Singh, the study’s senior author.
When scientists removed CUL1-IPA from cells, they noticed striking changes: the nucleolus disintegrated, and the cells showed signs of stress.
“We were surprised by how essential this RNA turned out to be,” noted Sumana Mallick, co-first author. “Its removal compromised nucleolar structure, demonstrating that non-coding RNAs from protein-coding genes can serve major regulatory functions,” Mallick added.
A connection to cancer prognosis
The research extended beyond basic cell biology. By analyzing patient data from multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the Singh Lab found that individuals with more advanced forms of these blood cancers had higher levels of CUL1-IPA, independent of the amount of conventional CUL1 RNA present.
“Its expression is linked to survival outcomes in blood cancers and may influence the aggressiveness of these diseases,” explained Pranita Borkar, co-first author.
Since cancer cells rely on increased ribosome production to fuel rapid growth, RNAs that reinforce nucleolar activity—such as CUL1-IPA—may inadvertently support tumor progression, making them potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Expanding our understanding of genes
The discovery of CUL1-IPA highlights the complexity of gene expression, showing that a single gene can generate multiple RNAs with distinct roles—some significantly affecting health and disease.
Molecules such as CUL1-IPA could eventually help guide cancer treatment or serve as targets for new therapies, paving the way for innovative anticancer strategies.
Reference
[1] Mallick S, Borkar P, Thind J, Chung D, Hubbs T, Singh I. Intronic polyadenylation-derived long noncoding RNA modulates nucleolar integrity and function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Feb 3;123(5):e2514521123. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2514521123. Epub 2026 Jan 30. PMID: 41615750; PMCID: PMC12867753.
Featured image: Structure of RNA polymerase II. Photo courtesy: © 2006 – 2026 National Institute of Health (NIH). Used with permission.
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