Editor meets silencer: crosstalk between RNA editing and RNA interference

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Dec;7(12):919-31. doi: 10.1038/nrm2061.

Abstract

The most prevalent type of RNA editing is mediated by ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) enzymes, which convert adenosines to inosines (a process known as A-->I RNA editing) in double-stranded (ds)RNA substrates. A-->I RNA editing was long thought to affect only selected transcripts by altering the proteins they encode. However, genome-wide screening has revealed numerous editing sites within inverted Alu repeats in introns and untranslated regions. Also, recent evidence indicates that A-->I RNA editing crosstalks with RNA-interference pathways, which, like A-->I RNA editing, involve dsRNAs. A-->I RNA editing therefore seems to have additional functions, including the regulation of retrotransposons and gene silencing, which adds a new urgency to the challenges of fully understanding ADAR functions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / chemistry
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Adenosine Deaminase / chemistry
  • Adenosine Deaminase / genetics
  • Adenosine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Alu Elements
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inosine / chemistry
  • Inosine / metabolism
  • Introns
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Retroelements

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Retroelements
  • Inosine
  • ADARB1 protein, human
  • Adenosine Deaminase
  • Adenosine