N6-Methyladenosine Methylation of mRNA in Cell Apoptosis

Lin Zhang1,2, Jian Xia3,4,5

  • 1Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.

Molecular Neurobiology
|December 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification regulates gene expression and apoptosis. Aberrant m6A impacts apoptosis, particularly in the nervous system, highlighting its crucial role in cellular processes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Apoptosis is a vital cellular process for tissue homeostasis during development and aging.
  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes, controlling gene expression.
  • Emerging evidence links dysregulated m6A RNA methylation to altered apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate relationship between m6A modification and apoptosis.
  • To highlight the specific role of m6A in nervous system apoptosis.
  • To identify current research gaps and limitations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on m6A and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms connecting m6A to apoptosis-related genes.
  • Focus on research within the nervous system context.

Main Results:

  • m6A modification influences mRNA metabolism, including stability and degradation.
  • Aberrant m6A patterns can directly or indirectly affect apoptosis-related gene expression.
  • The role of m6A in nervous system apoptosis is a significant area of investigation.

Conclusions:

  • m6A plays a critical role in regulating apoptosis.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate m6A's function in the nervous system and its therapeutic potential.

Related Concept Videos

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...
7.7K
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...
21.3K
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...
33.6K
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
5.6K
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...
9.0K
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,...
10.6K