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An RNA Degrader Stayed on the Mitochondrion

Engineered MOM-ENDOG suppressed four RNA viruses in cells while avoiding the nucleus in the reported experiments.

Published Updated Story ID: mp-2026-08-02-019
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Summary

Engineered MOM-ENDOG suppressed four RNA viruses in cells while avoiding the nucleus in the reported experiments.

National Taiwan University researchers anchored an RNA-cutting enzyme to the mitochondrial surface and delivered modified mRNA encoding it. The construct reduced VSV, influenza, dengue and Zika propagation in experimental systems without the nuclear DNA damage seen when ENDOG moved into the nucleus; clinical safety is untested.

Why it matters

Engineered MOM-ENDOG suppressed four RNA viruses in cells while avoiding the nucleus in the reported experiments.

Limits and context

No additional limitation was separately recorded.

Key claims

  1. Engineered MOM-ENDOG suppressed four RNA viruses in cells while avoiding the nucleus in the reported experiments.

    Evidence: source-2026-08-02-021

Sources

  1. Nature Communications: mitochondrial-surface viral RNA degraderNature Communications · secondary reporting

Corrections

No corrections have been recorded for this story.