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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 21, 2022
Role of RNA modifications in cancer
Isaia Barbieri1,2,3, Tony Kouzarides4,5
1The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Specific chemical modifications of biological molecules are an efficient way of regulating molecular function, and a plethora of downstream signalling pathways are influenced by the modification of DNA and proteins. Many of the enzymes responsible for regulating protein and DNA modifications are targets of current cancer therapies. RNA epitranscriptomics, the study of RNA modifications, is the new frontier of this arena. Despite being known since the 1970s, eukaryotic RNA modifications were mostly identified on transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA until the last decade, when they have been identified and characterized on mRNA and various non-coding RNAs. Increasing evidence suggests that RNA modification pathways are also misregulated in human cancers and may be ideal targets of cancer therapy. In this Review we highlight the RNA epitranscriptomic pathways implicated in cancer, describing their biological functions and their connections to the disease.
Insights
RNA epitranscriptomics, the study of RNA modifications, is emerging as a key player in cancer. Understanding these RNA pathways offers new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Chemical modifications regulate DNA and protein functions, influencing signaling pathways.
- Enzymes involved in DNA and protein modifications are established cancer therapy targets.
- RNA modifications, or epitranscriptomics, are a rapidly advancing field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review RNA epitranscriptomic pathways involved in human cancers.
- To describe the biological functions of these pathways.
- To explore their connections to cancer development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epitranscriptomic research.
- Analysis of RNA modification pathways in cancer.
- Integration of functional and disease-connection data.
Main Results:
- RNA modifications, once primarily studied in non-coding RNAs, are now identified on mRNA and other non-coding RNAs.
- Evidence indicates misregulation of RNA modification pathways in various human cancers.
- These pathways play significant roles in cancer biology.
Conclusions:
- RNA epitranscriptomics represents a novel frontier in cancer research.
- Misregulated RNA modification pathways in cancer present promising therapeutic targets.
- Further investigation into epitranscriptomic pathways could lead to new cancer treatments.
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