The dynamic epitranscriptome: A to I editing modulates genetic information

Chromosoma. 2016 Mar;125(1):51-63. doi: 10.1007/s00412-015-0526-9. Epub 2015 Jul 7.

Abstract

Adenosine to inosine editing (A to I editing) is a cotranscriptional process that contributes to transcriptome complexity by deamination of adenosines to inosines. Initially, the impact of A to I editing has been described for coding targets in the nervous system. Here, A to I editing leads to recoding and changes of single amino acids since inosine is normally interpreted as guanosine by cellular machines. However, more recently, new roles for A to I editing have emerged: Editing was shown to influence splicing and is found massively in Alu elements. Moreover, A to I editing is required to modulate innate immunity. We summarize the multiple ways in which A to I editing generates transcriptome variability and highlight recent findings in the field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Deamination
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Inosine*
  • Mammals
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Inosine
  • Adenosine