RNA N6-methyladenosine methylation in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation

Genes Dev. 2015 Jul 1;29(13):1343-55. doi: 10.1101/gad.262766.115.

Abstract

N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most prevalent and internal modification that occurs in the messenger RNAs (mRNA) of most eukaryotes, although its functional relevance remained a mystery for decades. This modification is installed by the m(6)A methylation "writers" and can be reversed by demethylases that serve as "erasers." In this review, we mainly summarize recent progress in the study of the m(6)A mRNA methylation machineries across eukaryotes and discuss their newly uncovered biological functions. The broad roles of m(6)A in regulating cell fates and embryonic development highlight the existence of another layer of epigenetic regulation at the RNA level, where mRNA is subjected to chemical modifications that affect protein expression.

Keywords: METTL3–METTL14; N6-methyladenosine; RNA demethylase; m6A methyltransferase; mRNA methylation; post-transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cellular Reprogramming / genetics
  • Embryonic Development / genetics
  • Eukaryota / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • N-methyladenosine
  • Methyltransferases
  • Adenosine