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Barone S, Cerchia C, Summa V, Brindisi M. Methyl-Transferase-Like Protein 16 (METTL16): The Intriguing Journey of a Key Epitranscriptomic Player Becoming an Emerging Biological Target. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39150226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Key epitranscriptomic players have been increasingly characterized for their structural features and their involvement in several diseases. Accordingly, the design and synthesis of novel epitranscriptomic modulators have started opening a glimmer for drug discovery. m6A is a reversible modification occurring on a specific site and is catalyzed by three sets of proteins responsible for opposite functions. Writers (e.g., methyl-transferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex and METTL16) introduce the methyl group on adenosine N-6, by transferring the methyl group from the methyl donor S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) to the substrate. Despite the rapidly advancing drug discovery progress on METTL3/METTL14, the METTL16 m6A writer has been marginally explored so far. We herein provide the first comprehensive overview of structural and biological features of METTL16, highlighting the state of the art in the field of its biological and structural characterization. We also showcase initial efforts in the identification of structural templates and preliminary structure-activity relationships for METTL16 modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Barone
- Department of Pharmacy (DoE 2023-2027), University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cerchia
- Department of Pharmacy (DoE 2023-2027), University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Summa
- Department of Pharmacy (DoE 2023-2027), University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- Department of Pharmacy (DoE 2023-2027), University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Khan FA, Nsengimana B, Awan UA, Ji XY, Ji S, Dong J. Regulatory roles of N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) methylation in RNA processing and non-communicable diseases. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00789-1. [PMID: 38839892 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00789-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional RNA modification is an emerging epigenetic control mechanism in cells that is important in many different cellular and organismal processes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent, prolific, and ubiquitous internal transcriptional alterations in eukaryotic mRNAs, making it an important topic in the field of Epigenetics. m6A methylation acts as a dynamical regulatory process that regulates the activity of genes and participates in multiple physiological processes, by supporting multiple aspects of essential mRNA metabolic processes, including pre-mRNA splicing, nuclear export, translation, miRNA synthesis, and stability. Extensive research has linked aberrations in m6A modification and m6A-associated proteins to a wide range of human diseases. However, the impact of m6A on mRNA metabolism and its pathological connection between m6A and other non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, liver diseases, and cancer remains in fragmentation. Here, we review the existing understanding of the overall role of mechanisms by which m6A exerts its activities and address new discoveries that highlight m6A's diverse involvement in gene expression regulation. We discuss m6A deposition on mRNA and its consequences on degradation, translation, and transcription, as well as m6A methylation of non-coding chromosomal-associated RNA species. This study could give new information about the molecular process, early detection, tailored treatment, and predictive evaluation of human non-communicable diseases like cancer. We also explore more about new data that suggests targeting m6A regulators in diseases may have therapeutic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ali Khan
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Basic Sciences Research, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Bernard Nsengimana
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Usman Ayub Awan
- Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Martínez-Iglesias O, Naidoo V, Carrera I, Carril JC, Cacabelos N, Cacabelos R. Influence of Metabolic, Transporter, and Pathogenic Genes on Pharmacogenetics and DNA Methylation in Neurological Disorders. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1156. [PMID: 37759556 PMCID: PMC10525670 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacogenetics and DNA methylation influence therapeutic outcomes and provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for brain-related disorders. To understand the effect of genetic polymorphisms on drug response and disease risk, we analyzed the relationship between global DNA methylation, drug-metabolizing enzymes, transport genes, and pathogenic gene phenotypes in serum samples from two groups of patients: Group A, which showed increased 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels during clinical follow-up, and Group B, which exhibited no discernible change in 5mC levels. We identified specific SNPs in several metabolizing genes, including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP4F2, GSTP1, and NAT2, that were associated with differential drug responses. Specific SNPs in CYP had a significant impact on enzyme activity, leading to changes in phenotypic distribution between the two patient groups. Group B, which contained a lower frequency of normal metabolizers and a higher frequency of ultra-rapid metabolizers compared to patients in Group A, did not show an improvement in 5mC levels during follow-up. Furthermore, there were significant differences in phenotype distribution between patient Groups A and B for several SNPs associated with transporter genes (ABCB1, ABCC2, SLC2A9, SLC39A8, and SLCO1B1) and pathogenic genes (APOE, NBEA, and PTGS2). These findings appear to suggest that the interplay between pharmacogenomics and DNA methylation has important implications for improving treatment outcomes in patients with brain-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaia Martínez-Iglesias
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, 15165 Bergondo, Corunna, Spain; (V.N.); (I.C.); (J.C.C.); (N.C.); (R.C.)
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Payea MJ, Dar SA, Malla S, Maragkakis M. Ribonucleic Acid-Mediated Control of Protein Translation Under Stress. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 39:374-389. [PMID: 37470212 PMCID: PMC10443204 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The need of cells to constantly respond to endogenous and exogenous stress has necessitated the evolution of pathways to counter the deleterious effects of stress and to restore cellular homeostasis. The inability to activate a timely and adequate response can lead to disease and is a hallmark of aging. Besides protein-coding genes, cells contain a plethora of noncoding regulatory elements that allow cells to respond rapidly and efficiently to external stimuli by activating highly specific and tightly controlled mechanisms. Many of these programs converge on the regulation of translation, one of the most energy-consuming processes in cells. Recent Advances: The noncoding dimension of translational regulation includes short and long noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs), as well as messenger RNA features, such as the sequence and modification status of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), that do not change the amino acid sequence of the produced protein. Critical Issues: In this review, we discuss the regulatory role of the nonprotein-coding components of translation under stress, particularly oxidative stress. We conclude that the regulation of translation through ncRNAs, UTRs, and nucleotide modifications is emerging as a critical component of the stress response. Future Directions: Further areas of study using long-read sequencing technologies will be discussed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 374-389.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Payea
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Showkat A. Dar
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sulochan Malla
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Manolis Maragkakis
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Yang L, Pang X, Guo W, Zhu C, Yu L, Song X, Wang K, Pang C. An Exploration of the Coherent Effects between METTL3 and NDUFA10 on Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10111. [PMID: 37373264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized primarily by a decline in cognitive function. However, the etiopathogenesis of AD is unclear. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is abundant in the brain, and it is interesting to explore the relationship between m6A and AD causes. In this paper, the gene expression of METTL3 and NDUFA10 were found to correlate with the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), which is a clinical indicator of the degree of dementia. METTL3 is involved in post-transcriptional methylation and the formation of m6A. NDUFA10 encodes the protein with NADH dehydrogenase activity and oxidoreductase activity in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The following three characteristics were observed in this paper: 1. The lower the expression level of NDUFA10, the smaller the MMSE, and the higher the degree of dementia. 2. If the expression level of METTL3 dropped below its threshold, the patient would have a risk of AD with a probability close to 100%, suggesting a basic necessity for m6A to protect mRNA. 3. The lower the expression levels of both METTL3 and NDUFA10, the more likely the patient would suffer from AD, implying the coherence between METTL3 and NDUFA10. Regarding the above discovery, the following hypothesis is presented: METTL3 expression level is downregulated, then the m6A modification level of NDUFA10 mRNA is also decreased, thereby reducing the expression level of NDUFA10-encoded protein. Furthermore, the abnormal expression of NDUFA10 contributes to the assembly disorder of mitochondrial complex I and affects the process of the electron respiratory chain, with the consequent development of AD. In addition, to confirm the above conclusions, the AI Ant Colony Algorithm was improved to be more suitable for discovering the characteristics of AD data, and the SVM diagnostic model was applied to mine the coherent effects on AD between METTL3 and NDUFA10. In conclusion, our findings suggest that dysregulated m6A leads to altered expression of its target genes, thereby affecting AD's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Xinping Pang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenbo Guo
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Chengjiang Zhu
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Lei Yu
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Xianghu Song
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Kui Wang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chaoyang Pang
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
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Mitsuhashi H, Nagy C. Potential Roles of m6A and FTO in Synaptic Connectivity and Major Depressive Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076220. [PMID: 37047192 PMCID: PMC10093820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications known as epitranscriptomics have emerged as a novel layer of transcriptomic regulation. Like the well-studied epigenetic modifications characterized in DNA and on histone-tails, they have been shown to regulate activity-dependent gene expression and play a vital role in shaping synaptic connections in response to external stimuli. Among the hundreds of known RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotes. Through recognition of its binding proteins, m6A can regulate various aspects of mRNA metabolism and is essential for maintaining higher brain functions. Indeed, m6A is highly enriched in synapses and is involved in neuronal plasticity, learning and memory, and adult neurogenesis. m6A can also respond to environmental stimuli, suggesting an important role in linking molecular and behavioral stress. This review summarizes key findings from fields related to major depressive disorder (MDD) including stress and learning and memory, which suggest that activity-dependent m6A changes may, directly and indirectly, contribute to synaptic connectivity changes underlying MDD. Furthermore, we will highlight the roles of m6A and FTO, a m6A eraser, in the context of depressive-like behaviors. Although we have only begun to explore m6A in the context of MDD and psychiatry, elucidating a link between m6A and MDD presents a novel molecular mechanism underlying MDD pathogenesis.
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An Update on Preclinical Research in Anesthetic-Induced Developmental Neurotoxicity in Nonhuman Primate and Rodent Models. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2023; 35:104-113. [PMID: 36745171 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Knockdown of METTL16 disrupts learning and memory by reducing the stability of MAT2A mRNA. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:432. [PMID: 36307396 PMCID: PMC9616879 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is abundant in the mammalian brain and is considered to have a wide range of effects on learning and memory. Here, we found that the upregulated methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16) in the hippocampal tissues of Morris water maze (MWM)-trained mice contributed to improved memory formation and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Mechanismly, METTL16 promoted the expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) by the m6A methylation of the MAT2A mRNA-3′UTR-end to increase its stability, and this involved in improving hippocampal global m6A levels, plasticity of dendritic spine, learning and memory. This study provides a new perspective to explore the regulatory mechanisms of m6A for learning and memory. ![]()
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