Mapping messenger RNA methylations at single base resolution

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2021 Aug:63:28-37. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.02.001. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Abstract

The messenger RNA (mRNA) methylations in mammalian cells have been found to contain N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N6-2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), 1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and 2'-O-methylation (2'-OMe). Their regulatory functions in control of mRNA fate and gene expression are being increasingly uncovered. To unambiguously understand the critical roles of mRNA methylations in physiological and pathological processes, mapping these methylations at single base resolution is highly required. Here, we will review the progresses made in methylation sequencing methodologies developed mainly in recent two years, with an emphasis on chemical labeling-assisted single base resolution methods, and discuss the problems and prospects as well.

Keywords: Chemical labeling methods; Single base resolution; m(6)A; m(7)G; mRNA methylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine / chemistry
  • Aldehydes / chemistry
  • Amines / chemistry
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Guanosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Guanosine / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry*
  • Single Molecule Imaging / methods*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Amines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Guanosine
  • 1-methyladenosine
  • 7-methylguanosine
  • N-methyladenosine
  • Adenosine