Human beings are a highlyadaptable bunch of bipeds, being able to swiftly change their lifestyles, clothes, hair, chewing gum brands, and political opinionsas the wind blows.But none of us are capable of intentionally altering our own genetic code as this superpowered species ofsquid has demonstrated!

In what could one day be used to affect gene-editing medicines and therapies to cure diseases in people, a new research paper publishedthis weekin the onlinejournalNucleic Acids Researchpresents evidence that a particular species of longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii), commonly used as bait fish, isthe first-ever animal known to changemessenger RNAoutside of the cell nucleus.Most all creatures on this planet enact changes to their DNA from the cell nucleus via messenger RNA, but this crafty little oceanic creature takes a unique shortcut.

Scientists working out of the famous Woods HoleMarine Biological Laboratory inMassachusetts found that this extreme RNA editing process occurs withinthe squid on a fantasticscale, using over60,000 brain cells, and dwarfing the hundreds of similar sites registering in humans.

Joshua Rosenthal, a seniorscientist at Woods Hole,together withcolleagues from Tel Aviv University and the University of Colorado at Denver theorizethat thismethod of recodingallowsthe squid to better adapt to rapidly fluctuatingenvironmental conditions likewater temperature.This revolutionary RNA editing takes place inside the squids axon, the elongatedsectionof the brain cell that transmits electrical signals to neighboringneurons. Reformulatingtheir RNA outside the nucleus lets these squidmore effectively change protein function nearerto the segmentof the body that requires adaptation.

It works by this massive tweaking of its nervous system, Rosenthal explains. Which is a really novel way of going through life.

The implicationfor applications and exploration within today's gene-tweaking Crispr-centric technologies for fighting human ailments are enormous, sincethe squid does this type ofediting with messenger RNA instead ofDNA.Crispr medical research involvesirreversible changes inDNA, but due to the diminishing aspects ofunused messenger RNA, temporary errors includedby a certain genetherapy would be wiped away as opposed to remaining within someone's body permanently.

If you have some faulty information inside of your genomesay, you inherited a nucleotide base from your parents, and normally its a G [guanine] and its an A [adenine] in youthen you could potentially change it back by editing the RNA, Rosenthal notes, pointing toa pair ofbuilding blocks that compriseRNA. "RNA editing is a hell of a lot safer than DNA editing. If you make a mistake, the RNA just turns over and goes away."

So next time you order the calamari, remember that a member of your tasty squid's extended family could one day help in improving the health and vitality of all humanity. Now please pass the salt and melted butter!

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Crazy calamari! This superpowered squid can change its own genetic code - SYFY WIRE

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