Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
09:12
DNAzyme-dependent Analysis of rRNA 2’-O-Methylation
Published on: September 16, 2019
8.6K
TRADES: Targeted RNA Demethylation by SunTag System
Jing Mo1, Zonggui Chen2,3, Shanshan Qin1
1College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 12, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a new tool, TRADES, to precisely remove N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications. This targeted RNA demethylation system extends RNA lifespan and regulates gene expression, showing potential for viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- RNA Biology
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a crucial RNA modification impacting biological processes and RNA fate.
- Characterizing specific m6A sites and their functions is challenging due to a lack of precise tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a system for targeted removal of m6A modifications at specific RNA loci.
- To investigate the functional consequences of site-specific RNA demethylation.
Main Methods:
- Development of the TRADES (targeted RNA demethylation by SunTag system) using dCas13b fused to GCN4 peptides.
- Recruitment of scFv-fusion RNA demethylases to demethylate target m6A sites.
- Site-specific demethylation of SON mRNA (A2699) in HeLa cells.
Main Results:
- TRADES successfully prolonged the lifetime of SON RNA through site-specific demethylation.
- The system demonstrated negligible impact on non-targeted transcripts.
- TRADES regulated target transcript gene expression in an m6A-dependent manner.
- TRADES interfered with HBV and HIV replication.
Conclusions:
- TRADES provides a flexible and effective tool for targeted RNA demethylation.
- The system can precisely control RNA stability and gene expression.
- TRADES shows potential for regulating viral life cycles and clinical applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
3.5K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.5K
01:22MicroRNAs
23.5K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.5K
02:15Experimental RNAi
7.0K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
7.0K
02:23RNA Editing
9.6K
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
9.6K
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
17.9K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
17.9K
01:23RNA Interference
27.4K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
27.4K