Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Methods to Classify Cytoplasmic Foci as Mammalian Stress Granules
09:33

Methods to Classify Cytoplasmic Foci as Mammalian Stress Granules

Published on: May 12, 2017

14.7K

Limited effects of m6A modification on mRNA partitioning into stress granules

Anthony Khong1,2, Tyler Matheny1,3, Thao Ngoc Huynh1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.

Nature Communications
|June 29, 2022
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification does not significantly recruit mRNAs to cellular stress granules. This study found m6A-modified mRNAs localize similarly in both normal and m6A-deficient cells, suggesting a minimal role.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Cellular Stress Response

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent mRNA modification in mammals.
  • m6A is proposed to mediate mRNA recruitment to stress granules via YTHDF proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of m6A modification in mRNA recruitment to stress granules.
  • To determine if m6A modification is essential for stress granule localization.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of mRNA localization in wild-type and m6A-deficient mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells.
  • Single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) for mRNA detection.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis.
  • Reporter mRNA assays with artificial YTHDF protein tethering.

Main Results:

  • m6A-modified mRNAs showed similar partitioning into stress granules in both wild-type and m6A-deficient cells.
  • m6A modification explained only 6% of the variance in stress granule localization, independent of mRNA length.
  • Artificial tethering of YTHDF proteins resulted in only a modest increase in mRNA partitioning.

Conclusions:

  • m6A modification plays a minimal role in the recruitment of mRNAs to stress granules.
  • The proposed mechanism of YTHDF protein-mediated recruitment via m6A is unlikely to be a major driver of mRNA localization to stress granules.

More Related Videos

Visualization of G3BP Stress Granules Dynamics in Live Primary Cells10:12

Visualization of G3BP Stress Granules Dynamics in Live Primary Cells

Published on: May 21, 2014

18.4K
Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling10:59

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling

Published on: May 19, 2014

18.4K

Related Concept Videos

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.7K
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...
33.9K
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
7.8K
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.8K
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...
993
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing02:41

Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing

In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
7.2K