title: N6-methyladenosine modification in mRNA: machinery, function and implications for health and diseases.
abstract: N6-methyladenosine (m(6) A) modification in mRNA is extremely widespread, and functionally modulates the eukaryotic transcriptome to influence mRNA splicing, export, localization, translation, and stability. Methylated adenines are present in a large subset of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Methylation is reversible, and this is accomplished by the orchestrated action of highly conserved methyltransferase (m(6) A writer) and demethylase (m(6) A eraser) enzymes to shape the cellular 'epitranscriptome'. The engraved 'methyl code' is subsequently decoded and executed by a group of m(6) A reader/effector components, which, in turn, govern the fate of the modified transcripts, thereby dictating their potential for translation. Reversible mRNA methylation thus adds another layer of regulation at the post-transcriptional level in the gene expression programme of eukaryotes that finely sculpts a highly dynamic proteome in order to respond to diverse cues during cellular differentiation, immune tolerance, and neuronal signalling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Arpita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maity
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Biswadip
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2839-2048
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012326:RNA Splicing; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C010223:N-methyladenosine; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; C065638:6-methyladenine mRNA methyltransferase; D008780:Methyltransferases; D000241:Adenosine
keywords: epitranscriptomics; m6A effector; m6A methylation; m6A reader; m6A writer; mRNA modification