Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
14:40
Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV
Published on: March 5, 2022
3.2K
Exploring the methyl-verse: Dynamic interplay of epigenome and m6A epitranscriptome
Katerina-Marina Pilala1, Konstantina Panoutsopoulou1, Maria-Alexandra Papadimitriou1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
|December 11, 2024
Summary
RNA methylation (m6A) and DNA methylation crosstalk fine-tune gene expression. This review explores m6A circuits, epigenetic interactions, and novel CRISPR-based RNA therapeutics for cancer.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications regulate gene expression but are often studied in isolation.
- Emerging research reveals interplay between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and epigenetic mechanisms.
- This interaction forms feedback circuits influencing gene expression and cellular homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the coordinated circuits of m6A with DNA methylation, chromatin, and non-coding RNAs.
- To elucidate these interactions in normal physiology and carcinogenesis.
- To summarize advancements in CRISPR-based platforms for m6A epitranscriptome editing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on m6A RNA methylation.
- Analysis of m6A interactions with DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Review of CRISPR-dCas engineering platforms for m6A editing.
Main Results:
- m6A RNA methylation interacts with DNA methylation and histone modifications, shaping transcription and translation.
- m6A also modulates non-coding RNA functions.
- m6A acts as a checkpoint linking epigenetic and epitranscriptomic layers.
Conclusions:
- m6A-mediated crosstalk with epigenetic factors provides multilayered control of gene expression.
- Understanding these networks is crucial for normal physiology and cancer.
- CRISPR-dCas technologies offer precise transcript-specific m6A editing for therapeutic development.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.0K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.0K
02:41Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
6.9K
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...
The chromatin structure, especially...
6.9K
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
8.2K
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer...
Writers
The writer...
8.2K
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
869
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...
869
01:53RNA Stability
33.3K
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...
33.3K
02:32Histone Modification
13.0K
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
13.0K