Maity A, Das B. N6-methyladenosine modification in mRNA: machinery, function and implications for health and diseases.
FEBS J 2015;
283:1607-30. [PMID:
26645578 DOI:
10.1111/febs.13614]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m(6) A) modification in mRNA is extremely widespread, and functionally modulates the eukaryotic transcriptome to influence mRNA splicing, export, localization, translation, and stability. Methylated adenines are present in a large subset of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Methylation is reversible, and this is accomplished by the orchestrated action of highly conserved methyltransferase (m(6) A writer) and demethylase (m(6) A eraser) enzymes to shape the cellular 'epitranscriptome'. The engraved 'methyl code' is subsequently decoded and executed by a group of m(6) A reader/effector components, which, in turn, govern the fate of the modified transcripts, thereby dictating their potential for translation. Reversible mRNA methylation thus adds another layer of regulation at the post-transcriptional level in the gene expression programme of eukaryotes that finely sculpts a highly dynamic proteome in order to respond to diverse cues during cellular differentiation, immune tolerance, and neuronal signalling.
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