Emerging roles of RNA N4-acetylcytidine modification in reproductive health
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Updated: May 27, 2025

Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 21, 2022
Zibaguli Wubulikasimu1,2,3,4, Hongyu Zhao1,2,3,4, Fengbiao Mao5,6,7
1State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
Abstract:
N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), an emerging posttranscriptional RNA modification, plays a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation. Ac4C is detected not only in tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA, but also in miRNA, lncRNA, viral RNA, and even DNA. Functionally, ac4C stabilizes mRNA, enhances protein translation fidelity, and impacts various biological processes and diseases such as cancer, inflammation, immune regulation, neural diseases, osteogenic differentiation, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, and replication. Current research primarily focuses on ac4C's roles in cancer progression and immunity, with emerging findings in gynecological diseases and reproduction. However, a comprehensive understanding of ac4C's implications in reproductive health is lacking. This review provides a historical perspective on ac4C's discovery and detection methods, elucidates its functions in reproductive development and gynecological disorders, and offers insights for further research in reproductive health. This review aims to pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches and precise diagnostic tools tailored to this field.
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