The multifaceted effects of YTHDC1-mediated nuclear m6A recognition

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine or m⁶A modification to mRNAs is now recognised as a key regulator of gene expression and protein translation. The fate of m⁶A-modified mRNAs is decoded by m⁶A readers, mostly found in the cytoplasm, except for the nuclear-localised YTHDC1. While earlier studies have implicated YTHDC1-m⁶A functions in alternative splicing and mRNA export, recent literature has expanded its close association to the chromatin-associated, noncoding and regulatory RNAs to fine-tune transcription and gene expression in cells. Here, we summarise current progress in the study of YTHDC1 function in cells, highlighting its multiple modes of action in regulating gene expression, and propose the formation of YTHDC1 nuclear condensates as a general mechanism that underlies its diverse functions in the nucleus.

Keywords: YTHDC1; m(6)A modification; mRNAs; noncoding RNAs; nuclear condensates; nuclear organisation; transcription.