N6-methyladenosine RNA modification and its interaction with regulatory non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer

Yiling Ge1, Tong Liu1, Chuntao Wang2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.

RNA Biology
|October 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification impacts colorectal cancer (CRC) by altering gene expression through messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This review explores m6A

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent RNA modification influencing gene expression.
  • m6A RNA modification plays a critical role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • The interplay between m6A and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CRC is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of m6A modification in colorectal cancer.
  • To systematically elaborate on the functional and mechanistic interactions between m6A modification and regulatory ncRNAs in CRC.
  • To discuss the potential clinical applications of targeting m6A pathways in CRC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on m6A modification in CRC.
  • Analysis of the regulatory mechanisms involving m6A, mRNAs, and ncRNAs in CRC.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on the clinical relevance of m6A in CRC.

Main Results:

  • m6A modification influences gene expression in CRC through both mRNAs and ncRNAs.
  • Specific ncRNAs are shown to interact with m6A machinery, affecting CRC progression.
  • Evidence suggests m6A regulators are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC.

Conclusions:

  • m6A RNA modification is a key regulator in colorectal cancer.
  • Understanding the m6A-ncRNA axis provides insights into CRC pathogenesis.
  • Targeting m6A modifications holds promise for future CRC diagnostics and therapeutics.

Related Concept Videos

RNA Editing02:23

RNA Editing

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...
9.3K
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
34.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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...
3.2K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.0K
Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends01:35

Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends

In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps...
10.9K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.1K