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RNA modifications in heart failure: current insights and future directions
1Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Texas, USA.
Current Opinion in Cardiology
|April 28, 2026
Summary
RNA modifications regulate gene expression beyond DNA changes, impacting cardiac function. Dysregulation of key modifications like m6A contributes to heart disease, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Gene expression is controlled post-transcriptionally via RNA modifications.
- Over 170 RNA modifications exist, but their cardiac roles are unclear.
- This review focuses on RNA modifications in cardiac biology and heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge of RNA modifications in the heart.
- To highlight the roles of characterized and understudied RNA modifications.
- To discuss implications for cardiac function and heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on RNA modifications in the heart.
- Focus on N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing.
- Discussion of enzymes involved in RNA modification.
Main Results:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing have context-dependent roles in the heart.
- These modifications add a crucial regulatory layer to gene expression.
- Dysregulation is linked to pathological cardiac remodeling.
Conclusions:
- RNA modifications are vital for cardiac adaptation to stress.
- Aberrant RNA modifications contribute to heart failure progression.
- Enzymes regulating RNA modifications are potential therapeutic targets.
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