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Updated: Jan 29, 2026

A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
Published on: December 5, 2016
Identification of Flavin Mononucleotide as a Cell-Active Artificial N6 -Methyladenosine RNA Demethylase
Li-Jun Xie1,2, Xiao-Ti Yang3,2, Rui-Li Wang1,2
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
Abstract:
N6 -Methyladenosine (m6 A) represents a common and highly dynamic modification in eukaryotic RNA that affects various cellular pathways. Natural dioxygenases such as FTO and ALKBH5 are enzymes that demethylate m6 A residues in mRNA. Herein, the first identification of a small-molecule modulator that functions as an artificial m6 A demethylase is reported. Flavin mononucleotide (FMN), the metabolite produced by riboflavin kinase, mediates substantial photochemical demethylation of m6 A residues of RNA in live cells. This study provides a new perspective to the understanding of demethylation of m6 A residues in mRNA and sheds light on the development of powerful small molecules as RNA demethylases and new probes for use in RNA biology.
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