METTL3 Gains R/W Access to the Epitranscriptome.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Epigenetics
• RNA Biology

Background:

• Epitranscriptomic modifications dynamically regulate gene expression.
• Enzymes known as 'writers' and 'erasers' add or remove these marks.
• 'Reader' proteins interpret these marks to influence cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multifaceted role of N6-methyladenosine:RNA methyltransferase METTL3.
• To determine if METTL3 functions beyond its established 'writer' role.
• To elucidate the impact of METTL3 on mRNA translation.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the enzymatic activity of METTL3.
• Assessed the binding capabilities of METTL3 to RNA.
• Quantified the effect of METTL3 on mRNA translation efficiency.

Main Results:

• METTL3 was confirmed to function as an 'eraser' enzyme.
• METTL3 was also identified to act as an RNA 'reader'.
• METTL3 directly promotes mRNA translation.

Conclusions:

• METTL3 possesses a dual 'writer' and 'reader' function.
• This dual role enables METTL3 to directly enhance mRNA translation.
• The findings reveal a novel mechanism for epitranscriptomic regulation of translation.