Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

06:59
Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
Published on: August 20, 2014
15.6K
N(6)-methyladenosine-dependent RNA structural switches regulate RNA-protein interactions
Nian Liu1, Qing Dai1, Guanqun Zheng2
1Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Nature
|February 27, 2015
Summary
The N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification acts as an "m(6)A-switch," altering RNA structure to control RNA-protein interactions. This mechanism regulates gene expression and RNA maturation by influencing RNA-binding protein access to RNA binding motifs.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- RNA Biology
Background:
- RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate cellular processes by interacting with RNA binding motifs (RBMs).
- RBM accessibility can be hindered by local RNA structures, limiting RBP interactions.
- N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is a key mRNA modification influencing RNA fate, but its role in regulating RBP access to structured RBMs is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of m(6)A in controlling RNA structure-dependent accessibility of RBMs for RNA-protein interactions.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which m(6)A influences RBP binding and subsequent gene regulation.
- To identify and characterize m(6)A-mediated regulation of RBP binding sites.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photoactivatable-ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP) and anti-m(6)A immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) in human cells.
- Combined PAR-CLIP and MeRIP to identify m(6)A-dependent RBP binding sites, termed 'm(6)A-switches'.
- Assessed the impact of global m(6)A reduction on RBP binding and target gene expression.
Main Results:
- Identified 39,060 m(6)A-switches associated with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (HNRNPC) binding sites.
- Demonstrated that m(6)A alters local RNA structure, facilitating HNRNPC binding to RBMs in mRNA and lncRNA.
- Observed that m(6)A reduction decreased HNRNPC binding at 2,798 high-confidence m(6)A-switches, affecting target mRNA abundance and alternative splicing.
Conclusions:
- m(6)A functions as an 'm(6)A-switch,' modulating RNA structure to regulate RBP accessibility and function.
- This mechanism impacts gene expression and RNA maturation by controlling RBP binding to RBMs.
- Provides a new framework for understanding RNA modification-coded cellular biology and RNA-protein interactions.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Stability
36.5K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
36.5K
RNA Stability
12.2K
12.2K
Translational Regulation
875
Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
875
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
8.5K
In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
The chromatin structure, especially...
8.5K
Types of RNA
74.3K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
74.3K
Types of RNA
16.7K
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
16.7K

