RNA modification m6Am: the role in cardiac biology

Daniel Benak; Frantisek Kolar; Lu Zhang; Yvan Devaux; Marketa Hlavackova

doi:10.1080/15592294.2023.2218771

RNA modification m⁶Am: the role in cardiac biology

Epigenetics. 2023 Dec;18(1):2218771. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2218771.

Authors

Daniel Benak^{1

2}, Frantisek Kolar¹, Lu Zhang³, Yvan Devaux⁴, Marketa Hlavackova¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Developmental Cardiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
² Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
³ Bioinformatics Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.
⁴ Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.

Abstract

Epitranscriptomic modifications have recently emerged into the spotlight of researchers due to their vast regulatory effects on gene expression and thereby cellular physiology and pathophysiology. N⁶,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m⁶Am) is one of the most prevalent chemical marks on RNA and is dynamically regulated by writers (PCIF1, METTL4) and erasers (FTO). The presence or absence of m⁶Am in RNA affects mRNA stability, regulates transcription, and modulates pre-mRNA splicing. Nevertheless, its functions in the heart are poorly known. This review summarizes the current knowledge and gaps about m⁶Am modification and its regulators in cardiac biology. It also points out technical challenges and lists the currently available techniques to measure m⁶Am. A better understanding of epitranscriptomic modifications is needed to improve our knowledge of the molecular regulations in the heart which may lead to novel cardioprotective strategies.

Keywords: N6,2‘-O-dimethyladenosine; N6-methyladenosine; epitranscriptomics; heart; m6A; m6Am.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Adenosine* / metabolism
Biology
DNA Methylation*
RNA / metabolism
RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

RNA, Messenger
Adenosine
RNA

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the Charles University Grant Agency [200317]; the Czech Science Foundation [19-04790Y]; the project National Institute for Research of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (Programme EXCELES) - Funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU [LX22NPO5104]; the EU Horizon 2020 project COVIRNA [101016072]; the National Research Fund [C14/BM/8225223, C17/BM/11613033, and COVID-19/2020-1/14719577/miRCOVID]; the Ministry of Higher Education and Research; the Heart Foundation-Daniel Wagner of Luxembourg ; EU-CardioRNA COST Action [CA17129].