Never-Before-Seen Mutation in Octopuses May Explain Their Astonishing Intelligence
A distinctive mutation in the ribosomes of shallow-water octopuses, which could shed light on their cognitive skills, was uncovered by researchers. The findings, published in Current Biology on August 17, stemmed from study co-author Richard Han's analysis of the California two-spot octopus, where he found an unexpected gap in ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Initially overlooked, this gap was later validated and tested in E. coli, resulting in a doubling of protein production accuracy. The research compared incirrates, known for their complex behaviors, with simpler cirrates, revealing the rRNA gap present in all five incirrate species but absent in a dumbo octopus and squids. Co-authors Rishav Mitra and Amy Lee highlighted the evolutionary importance of this mutation, which may have implications for therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
Key facts
- The study was published in the journal Current Biology on August 17.
- The mutation was discovered accidentally by Richard Han, then a graduate student at Harvard Medical School.
- The mutation involves a break in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that splits one fragment into two.
- This rRNA break is found in all five examined incirrate octopus species but not in a dumbo octopus or squids.
- Inserting the break into E. coli ribosomes made proteins about twice as accurate.
- Incirrates are shallow-water octopuses with complex nervous systems; cirrates are deep-sea with simpler nervous systems.
- The study suggests the mutation may help long-lived neurons prevent protein misfolding.
- Researchers hope the finding could lead to treatments for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- Joshua Rosenthal of the Marine Biological Laboratory called the discovery 'super interesting' but noted more research is needed.
- The mutation is the first of its kind seen in any animal.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Han
- Nicholas Bellono
- Rishav Mitra
- Amy Lee
- Joshua Rosenthal
- Anik Grearson
- Sara Reardon
- Cody Cottier
- Sara Hashemi
Institutions
- Harvard Medical School
- Marine Biological Laboratory
- Current Biology
- Science
- Scientific American
Locations
- California
- New York City
- United States