Dus3l, short for Dihydrouridine Synthase 3-Like, is a dihydrouridine synthase homolog that mediates dihydrouridylation, an epitranscriptomic RNA modification which can regulate RNA activity [1]. RNA modifications play crucial roles in regulating RNA structure, folding, and protein-RNA interactions, and are involved in fundamental gene expression processes [2].

In one study, using a chemoproteomic strategy RNABPP, researchers found that DUS3L-knockout (KO) cells have compromised protein translation rates and impaired cellular proliferation, suggesting its importance in these cellular processes [1]. DUS3L was also identified among genes containing rare, potentially deleterious variants transmitted to affected first-degree relatives in multiple families with inflammatory bowel disease, indicating a possible genetic link to this disease [3]. In an integrative analysis of transcriptome-wide association study and mRNA expression profile, DUS3L was identified as an overlapping gene associated with aortic aneurysm and dissection [4]. In acute myocardial infarction patients, DUS3L was among the hub genes in a specific co-expression module [5].

In conclusion, DUS3L has significant functions in processes like protein translation and cellular proliferation. Its potential involvement in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and acute myocardial infarction, as revealed through gene knockout and genetic analysis in relevant models, highlights its importance in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases.