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Epitranscriptomics: regulation of mRNA metabolism through modifications
Eyal Peer1, Gideon Rechavi1, Dan Dominissini1
1Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Wohl Centre for Translational Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|November 11, 2017
Summary
Epitranscriptomics studies dynamic RNA modifications like N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and N1-methyladenosine (m1A). These changes regulate mRNA fate, influencing crucial biological processes and diseases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular RNAs undergo post-transcriptional chemical modifications.
- Recent advances enable systematic mapping and functional analysis of these modifications.
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mapping spurred research into other mRNA modifications like N1-methyladenosine (m1A).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key methods in epitranscriptomics.
- To summarize recent discoveries in post-transcriptional mRNA methylation.
- To highlight the role of RNA methylation in eukaryotic biology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic mapping of RNA modifications.
- Functional analysis of modified RNAs.
- Review of existing literature and methodologies.
Main Results:
- RNA methylation dynamically regulates mRNA processing, export, translation, and stability.
- These modifications influence differentiation, stress response, and tumorigenesis.
- The field of epitranscriptomics is rapidly advancing.
Conclusions:
- Post-transcriptional mRNA methylation is a key regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes.
- Understanding epitranscriptomics is crucial for deciphering fundamental biological processes and diseases.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of various RNA modifications.
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