Breakthrough in Micronutrient Research: Queuosine's Role in Health Explored

In a significant advancement in human biology, an international team of scientists has resolved a 30-year mystery regarding the absorption of queuosine, a vital micronutrient essential for various bodily functions, including brain health and cancer prevention. The study, co-led by researchers from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Florida, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on June 18, 2025.

Queuosine, first discovered in the 1970s, is a vitamin-like compound that humans cannot synthesize independently; it must be obtained through dietary sources and gut bacteria. Its critical role in human health has largely gone unnoticed until now. The research team identified the SLC35F2 gene as the first known human transporter of queuosine, facilitating its entry into cells. This discovery is poised to open avenues for potential therapies aimed at leveraging queuosine's properties in cancer suppression and cognitive function.

According to Vincent Kelly, Professor in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology and senior author of the study, “We have known for a long time that queuosine influences critical processes like brain health, metabolic regulation, cancer and even responses to stress, but until now we haven’t known how it is salvaged from the gut and distributed to the billions of human cells that take it in.” Kelly emphasized that the findings will enable more detailed analysis of queuosine's role in health and disease.

The evolutionarily conserved nature of the SLC35F2 gene—from simple organisms to humans—underscores its functional significance. Professor Valérie de Crécy-Lagard, a distinguished professor at the University of Florida and a principal investigator in the study, noted, “For over 30 years, scientists have suspected that there had to be a transporter for this nutrient, but no one could find it. This discovery opens up a whole new chapter in understanding how the microbiome and our diet can influence the translation of our genes.”

The implications of this research extend beyond mere academic interest. It lays the groundwork for future studies that could lead to new medications targeting the SLC35F2 gene, which has been previously linked to the cellular entry of viruses and cancer therapeutics.

The research was funded by notable institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the Irish Research Council. The full article can be accessed on the PNAS website, providing further insights into this groundbreaking discovery that bridges dietary intake, gut microbiota, and human health.

As the scientific community delves deeper into the implications of queuosine, it is anticipated that further studies will illuminate how dietary choices and gut health can influence genetic expression and overall well-being. The future of micronutrient research is promising, with this breakthrough paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies that could significantly enhance human health.