Major discovery in biology: unique RNA structures, called “obelisks”, have been identified in the human microbiota. These entities, similar to viroids but more complex, could influence our health in as yet unsuspected ways.
Recently, a scientific study revealed the existence of a new category of genetic entities, “ obelisksobelisks “, in L’human microbial ecosystem. This discovery, published in Sciences opens new perspectives on the biology of viroids and their potential role in the human microbiota.
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What are obelisks?
Obelisks are tiny RNA structures, discovered in the human digestive tract and mouth. These entities resemble viroids. However, Obelisks are distinguished by their lack of protective covering and their inability to encode proteinsappropriating the enzymesenzymes necessary for their replication in their hosts.
The study reveals that the Streptococcus blooda bacteriumbacterium common in the mouth, is one of the hosts of these Obelisks. Although other hosts remain to be confirmed, researchers suspect a significant presence among bacteria. The obelisks were named because of their unique structure, resembling a thin 3D rod, and have been identified in almost 29,960 cases.
Analysis of metranscriptomes, activity summaries genicgenic in various microbial communities, revealed the presence of obelisks in approximately 7% of stool samples and 53% of oral samples. This indicates a notable influence on the microbiota intestinal and buccalbuccal. Some obelisks even appear to contain genetic instructions for their own replication, an unexpected complexity compared to traditional viroids.
