Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

10.4K

Reading RNA methylation codes through methyl-specific binding proteins

Xiao Wang1, Chuan He1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics; The University of Chicago; Chicago, IL USA.

RNA Biology
|May 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key mRNA modification regulating gene expression. Recent discoveries reveal m6A "readers" that tune mRNA stability and influence crucial biological processes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA).
  • While m6A was discovered decades ago, its functional roles remained largely uncharacterized until recently.
  • m6A is implicated in diverse biological processes, including cell fate determination in yeast and development/fertility in metazoans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the recent discoveries of proteins that recognize m6A modifications, termed
  • readers.
  • To elucidate the functional significance of m6A readers in regulating mRNA stability and gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on the identification and characterization of m6A-binding proteins.
  • Review of studies investigating the impact of m6A readers on mRNA metabolism.
  • Analysis of the downstream effects of m6A-dependent gene expression regulation.

Main Results:

  • Identification of specific protein "readers" that selectively bind to m6A-modified mRNAs.
  • Demonstration that these readers play critical roles in modulating mRNA stability.
  • Evidence for m6A-mediated regulation influencing key cellular processes.

Conclusions:

  • The discovery of m6A readers has unveiled a new layer of gene expression control.
  • m6A-dependent regulation of mRNA stability is a significant mechanism in eukaryotes.
  • Further research into m6A pathways promises insights into various biological phenomena and diseases.
Keywords:
N6-methyladenosineRNA methylationRNA stabilityRNA-binding proteinYTH domainYTHDF2gene expression regulationm6Areversible RNA modification

More Related Videos

Methyl-binding DNA capture Sequencing for Patient Tissues08:40

Methyl-binding DNA capture Sequencing for Patient Tissues

Published on: October 31, 2016

8.2K
Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors06:07

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

2.5K

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.5K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
28.7K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
14.6K
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer...
8.1K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
8.2K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
6.1K