index Biohistory journal, Spring, 2007

Biohistory journal, Spring, 2007: Index > What is RNA? An ageless worker with information and a function

Dialogue

What is RNA?
An ageless worker with information and a function

Yoshikazu Nakamura / Keiko Nakamura

Photograph by Naruaki Onishi
     DNA and proteins have the starring roles, while RNA is a supporting actor. The spotlight is now beginning to shine on RNA, which had been relegated to a secondary role for so long. Only 1.5% of the genome protein can be determined, while the bulk of RNA can. The small RNA adjusts the genes, and ribosome RNA also functions in protein compounds. Some say that in ancient times, it was an RNA world in which RNA played the leading role. It's hindsight to say that we should have been aware of this earlier, however. Yoshikazu Nakamura is one of the leading RNA researchers today. It was fortunate that he has a stubborn streak, and has conducted exemplary research on the interesting shapes of RNA. We discussed the importance of formulating a strategy and ignoring money when the light hits.
(Keiko Nakamura)

The ribosome creating protein / Computer graphic from "What is DNA?"
What appear to be tiny grains of salt on the surface is the protein. Most of the ribosome is RNA, and this operation is quite old.
(Yoshikazu Nakamura)
The important part of creating protein is the RNA that acts as an enzyme and ribozyme.
(Keiko Nakamura)

Keiko Nakamura --
    It's interesting that living creatures have had, for 3.8 billion uninterrupted years, an unchanging system that is a combination of alignment and shape, which is the specialty of RNA. It might also be a boundary.

Yoshikazu Nakamura --
    RNA contains information that includes how to function to create form, in its own sequence. It is the source of flexibility and diversity. Life was created in the fuzzy world of RNA.

Nakamura

Keiko Nakamura --
    It began from RNA, but it shifted to the DNA in the center of the cell, and it has the role of functioning without restraint. Recently, people have begun paying attention anew to the many small RNA activities. What are their characteristics?

Yoshikazu Nakamura --
    The sequence is different depending on the seed, but the form they create is similar. This is interesting both in terms of function and evolution. To learn more about it, we have to continue to make a concerted effort and keep thinking the whole time.

Keiko Nakamura --
    The most fascinating parts are the most difficult. I hope you keep having difficulties-I'll be cheering you on!

After the dialogue

Yoshikazu Nakamura

RNA takes a variety of forms
(From "Biohistory as Told by the Genome")
RNA is slightly different from DNA, and the beauty of RNA is that it has flexibility of form, without a perfect double helical structure.
    I had the sense that I was really scolded-or should I more properly say, preached to. During the scolding, experiences from 40 years ago came bubbling to the surface. When I was a member of the Kyoto University tennis club (using a soft ball), I was lectured repeatedly by an alumnus having the practical theory that I had to think about beating private schools. I was completely in the dark about whether this was the atmosphere of Kyoto University. I had the same feeling in this dialogue as I was being scolded. Of course, this was an excellent opportunity of the kind one seldom encounters. The sequence and form of RNA...the immense mountain of junk RNA created by the genome...if that is where the secret of life is hidden, I expect to be told to sit at the foot of that mountain and think about it for a year or two. In the eyes of the director, Keiko Nakamura, the situation today reflects the same situation that occurs when a breakthrough is achieved or is demanded, in the history of the life sciences. I think that is a wise insight. Our time together was creative and enjoyable. Mr. Onishi, who is a professional photographer, advised me that a sober expression would be the best. The only problem is that when I was with Keiko Nakamura, I couldn't maintain that expression.
Yoshikazu Nakamura
Yoshikazu Nakamura
    Dr. Nakamura received a science degree from Kyoto University in 1972, and was awarded a doctorate in science from the same university in 1977. After serving as an associate professor at the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, he is now a full professor at the institute's Division of Molecular Biology. He is also the representative researcher of the Spacio-Temporal Network of RNA Information Flow, a designated research field by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He has co-authored such works as RNA Cellular Biology and RNA Renaissance.
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