RNAmetylaation

RNA methylation is a type of epitranscriptomic modification where a methyl group is added to an RNA molecule. This process can occur on various RNA bases, most notably adenine and cytosine. The most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) is N6-methyladenosine (m6A). Other significant modifications include N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and N7-methylguanosine (m7G), which is primarily found at the 5' cap of eukaryotic mRNAs.

These modifications are dynamically regulated by specific enzymes. Writers, such as methyltransferases, install the methyl groups. Erasers, like demethylases, remove them. Readers, which are proteins that bind to methylated RNA, then interpret these modifications and influence downstream cellular processes.

RNA methylation plays crucial roles in a wide range of biological functions. It can affect RNA stability, nuclear export, translation efficiency, and splicing. For instance, m6A modification has been implicated in regulating gene expression, cell differentiation, and stress responses. The study of RNA methylation is an active area of research, with growing evidence suggesting its involvement in various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. Understanding these modifications provides insights into the complex regulation of gene expression beyond the genetic code itself.