Trinity College Dublin researchers have played a key role in solving a long-standing mystery surrounding the absorption of queuosine, a crucial micronutrient, into human cells. This breakthrough could have significant implications for future health treatments.

An international team of scientists, including researchers from Trinity and the University of Florida, has identified the gene responsible for allowing queuosine, a micronutrient essential for human health, to enter the body. Queuosine, discovered in the 1970s, plays a vital role in various bodily functions, from brain health to cancer prevention.

Queuosine functions as a transfer RNA modification, enabling the accurate translation of genetic code into proteins, the body's building blocks. This discovery sheds light on the micronutrient's critical role in human biology.

Prof Valérie de Crécy-Lagard, a University of Florida professor and lead investigator, describes queuosine as a nutrient that fine-tunes gene expression in the body, emphasizing its significant impact despite being relatively unknown to the public.

After years of puzzling over how queuosine is processed in the body, scientists have identified the SLC35F2 gene as the first known human transporter of this essential micronutrient. This gene, previously studied in the context of viral and cancer drug entry into cells, has ancient origins and is conserved across different species.

The discovery of SLC35F2 opens up new possibilities for research into potential therapies leveraging queuosine's role in cancer prevention, memory enhancement, and brain function. Trinity's Prof Vincent Kelly, a senior author of the study, highlights the significance of this breakthrough in understanding the impact of queuosine on human health and disease.

Recent research has underscored the crucial relationship between gut bacteria and overall health. Ongoing studies, such as the collaboration between APC Microbiome Ireland and International Flavours and Fragrances, continue to reveal the profound influence of gut bacteria on various bodily functions.

Similarly, a study from University College Cork has shown that gut bacteria play a key role in regulating the body's hormonal responses to stress. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between gut microbes and human health.

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