Epitranskriptomisia

Epitranskriptomisia refers to the study of epitranscriptomics, which are reversible chemical modifications to RNA molecules. These modifications, often referred to as RNA modifications or epitranscriptomic marks, can alter the structure, function, and fate of RNA. While there are over 170 known RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has been the most extensively studied. Other notable modifications include N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ).

Epitranscriptomic modifications are dynamically regulated by enzymes that add (writers), remove (erasers), and bind to (readers) these marks. Writers, such as methyltransferases, catalyze the addition of chemical groups to RNA bases. Erasers, like demethylases, reverse these modifications. Readers are proteins that recognize and bind to modified RNA, thereby influencing downstream cellular processes.

The presence and distribution of these modifications are not random. They are influenced by developmental stage, cellular conditions, and environmental stimuli. Epitranscriptomic marks play crucial roles in various biological processes, including mRNA splicing, nuclear export, translation efficiency, RNA stability, and the regulation of gene expression. Aberrant epitranscriptomic patterns have been implicated in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and metabolic diseases, making the epitranscriptome a significant area of research in molecular biology and medicine. Understanding these dynamic RNA modifications provides insights into gene regulation beyond the genetic code itself.