Unraveling the RNA modification code with mass spectrometry

Mol Omics. 2020 Aug 1;16(4):305-315. doi: 10.1039/c8mo00247a. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Abstract

The discovery and analysis of modifications on proteins and nucleic acids has provided functional information that has rapidly accelerated the field of epigenetics. While protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), especially on histones, have been highlighted as critical components of epigenetics, the post-transcriptional modification of RNA has been a subject of more recently emergent interest. Multiple RNA modifications have been known to be present in tRNA and rRNA since the 1960s, but the exploration of mRNA, small RNA, and inducible tRNA modifications remains nascent. Sequencing-based methods have been essential to the field by creating the first epitranscriptome maps of m6A, m5C, hm5C, pseudouridine, and inosine; however, these methods possess significant limitations. Here, we discuss the past, present, and future of the application of mass spectrometry (MS) to the study of RNA modifications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleosides
  • Nucleotides
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • RNA / chemistry*
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism

Substances

  • Nucleosides
  • Nucleotides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA
  • RNA, Transfer