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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
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A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
Published on: December 5, 2016
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The Functions of N6-Methyladenosine in Nuclear RNAs
Nadezhda A Zhigalova1, Katerina Yu Oleynikova1, Alexey S Ruzov1
1Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|March 11, 2024
Summary
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in nuclear RNAs regulates transcription, splicing, and chromatin organization. This epigenetic mark provides a new layer of gene expression control within the cell nucleus.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- RNA Biology
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent mRNA modification in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
- m6A methylation is known to regulate mRNA stability and translation, primarily studied in the cytoplasm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging data on the nuclear functions of m6A.
- To highlight m6A's role in key nuclear biological processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on m6A in the cell nucleus.
Main Results:
- m6A plays a role in nuclear processes including transcription, chromatin organization, splicing, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, and R-loop metabolism.
- Evidence suggests m6A methylation of nuclear RNAs is a significant regulatory mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear RNA m6A modification represents an additional layer of gene expression regulation.
- m6A, alongside DNA methylation and histone modifications, influences chromatin structure and function.
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