Ankur Jain

My lab studies RNA, the intermediary between DNA and the tiny molecular machines called proteins that perform most of the essential tasks inside cells. We’re particularly interested in how RNA folds, misfolds, and sometimes clumps inside cells.

In recent work, we uncovered a surprising role for polyamines, small molecules that bind to RNA and help shape its structure. These molecules are found in high quantities in cells, but until recently, scientists didn’t fully understand why they are so abundant. We discovered that polyamines also play a crucial role in safely storing iron, an essential metal in the body.

Iron is a double-edged sword. Cells need it to produce energy, and our blood uses it to carry oxygen. But too much free iron can react with oxygen to create damaging molecules that break down RNA, DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. Polyamines act like a storage locker, keeping iron in a safe, non-reactive form until the cell needs it.

Mutations that reduce polyamine levels are linked to early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Understanding how polyamines interact with RNA and manage iron may open new paths for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.