N6-adenosine methylation in MiRNAs.
Methylation of N6-adenosine (m6A) has been observed in many different classes of RNA, but its prevalence in microRNAs (miRNAs) has not yet been studied. Here we show that a knockdown of the m6A demethylase FTO affects the steady-state levels of several miRNAs. Moreover, RNA immunoprecipitation with an anti-m6A-antibody followed by RNA-seq revealed that a significant fraction of miRNAs contains m6A. By motif searches we have discovered consensus sequences discriminating between methylated and unmethylated miRNAs. The epigenetic modification of an epigenetic modifier as described here adds a new layer to the complexity of the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression.
Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Tea
T
Berulava
Genome Informatics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Sven
S
Rahmann
Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Katrin
K
Rademacher
Institute of Cell Biology (Tumor Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Ludgar
L
Klein-Hitpass
Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Bernhard
B
Horsthemke
D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071516:Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D035683:MicroRNAs; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000071516:Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; C526492:FTO protein, human; D000241:Adenosine