The RNA editing enzymes ADARs: mechanism of action and human disease

Cell Tissue Res. 2014 Jun;356(3):527-32. doi: 10.1007/s00441-014-1863-3. Epub 2014 Apr 26.

Abstract

A-to-I RNA editing is a ubiquitous and crucial molecular mechanism able to convert adenosines into inosines (then read as guanosines by several intracellular proteins/enzymes) within RNA molecules, changing the genomic information. The A-to-I deaminase enzymes (ADARs), which modify the adenosine, can alter the splicing and translation machineries, the double-stranded RNA structures and the binding affinity between RNA and RNA-binding proteins. ADAR activity is an essential mechanism in mammals and altered editing has been associated with several human diseases. Many efforts are now being concentrated on modifying ADAR activity in vivo in an attempt to correct RNA editing dysfunction. Concomitantly, ongoing studies aim to show the way that the ADAR deaminase domain can be used as a possible new tool, an intracellular Trojan horse, for the correction of heritage diseases not related to RNA editing events.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Deaminase / genetics
  • Adenosine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA
  • Adenosine Deaminase