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Zhang J, Lin L, Huang B, Liu H, Li H, Wu W. Exploring the Role of mRNA Methylation in Insect Biology and Resistance. INSECTS 2025; 16:463. [PMID: 40429176 PMCID: PMC12111879 DOI: 10.3390/insects16050463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2025] [Revised: 04/20/2025] [Accepted: 04/24/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
RNA methylation, characterized by modifications such as N6-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytosine, and N1-methyladenosine plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation across diverse biological systems. While research on RNA methylation has predominantly focused on mammals, particularly its roles in epigenetic regulation and cancer biology, recent studies in insects have begun to explore their extensive functions in insect physiology. This review examines the mechanisms by which RNA methylation regulates growth, development, reproduction, environmental adaptation, and immune response in insects, providing insights into the biological characteristics of these organisms without prematurely speculating on pest control strategies. It aims to offer valuable insights into the role of RNA methylation in insect biology and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Centerof Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Luobin Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Centerof Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Botian Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Centerof Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Huoxi Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Centerof Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Huaqin Li
- School of Health Sciences, Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Wenmei Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Centerof Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (H.L.)
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Zhang G, Miao Y, Song Y, Wang L, Li Y, Zhu Y, Zhang W, Sun Q, Chen D. HIRA and dPCIF1 coordinately establish totipotent chromatin and control orderly ZGA in Drosophila embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2410261121. [PMID: 39541353 PMCID: PMC11588057 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2410261121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Early embryos undergo profound changes in their genomic architecture to establish the totipotent state, enabling pioneer factors to access chromatin and drive zygotic genome activation (ZGA). However, the mechanisms by which the totipotent state is established and properly interpreted by pioneer factors to allow orderly ZGA remain unknown. Here, we identify the H3.3-specific chaperone HIRA as a factor involving establishing totipotent-state chromatin in Drosophila early embryos. Through cophase separation with HIRA, the pioneer factor GAGA factor (GAF) efficiently binds to H3.3-marked nucleosomes to activate major-wave zygotic genes. Importantly, dPCIF1, a chromatin-associated protein, antagonized the GAF-HIRA interaction by competitively binding to HIRA, thereby restricting GAF on earlier chromatin and avoiding premature ZGA. Hence, the coordinated action of HIRA and dPCIF1 ensures sequential ZGA from the minor to major wave in early embryos. This study provides insights into understanding how a totipotent state is established and properly controlled during ZGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Yaqi Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Yuan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Yawei Li
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Yuanxiang Zhu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Qinmiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Institute of Stem Cells and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Dahua Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming650500, China
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Wells GR, Pillai RS. Roles of N 6-methyladenosine writers, readers and erasers in the mammalian germline. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 87:102224. [PMID: 38981182 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification of mRNAs in eukaryotes. Numerous studies have shown that m6A plays key roles in many biological and pathophysiological processes, including fertility. The factors involved in m6A-dependent mRNA regulation include writers, which deposit the m6A mark, erasers, which remove it, and readers, which bind to m6A-modified transcripts and mediate the regulation of mRNA fate. Many of these proteins are highly expressed in the germ cells of mammals, and some have been linked to fertility disorders in human patients. In this review, we summarise recent findings on the important roles played by proteins involved in m6A biology in mammalian gametogenesis and fertility. Continued study of the m6A pathway in the mammalian germline will shed further light on the importance of epitranscriptomics in reproduction and may lead to effective treatment of human fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme R Wells
- Department of Molecular Biology, Science III, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
| | - Ramesh S Pillai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Science III, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Wei H, Xu Y, Lin L, Li Y, Zhu X. A review on the role of RNA methylation in aging-related diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127769. [PMID: 38287578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Senescence is the underlying mechanism of organism aging and is robustly regulated at the post-transcriptional level. This regulation involves the chemical modifications, of which the RNA methylation is the most common. Recently, a rapidly growing number of studies have demonstrated that methylation is relevant to aging and aging-associated diseases. Owing to the rapid development of detection methods, the understanding on RNA methylation has gone deeper. In this review, we summarize the current understanding on the influence of RNA modification on cellular senescence, with a focus on mRNA methylation in aging-related diseases, and discuss the emerging potential of RNA modification in diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wei
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Yuhao Xu
- Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Li Lin
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Yuefeng Li
- Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China.
| | - Xiaolan Zhu
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China.
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Wu Y, Pu X, Wu S, Zhang Y, Fu S, Tang H, Wang X, Xu M. PCIF1, the only methyltransferase of N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:226. [PMID: 37779183 PMCID: PMC10544176 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine(m6A), is the most abundant post-transcriptional modification of mRNA in biology. When the first nucleotide after the m7G cap is adenosine, it is methylated at the N6 position to form N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am). m6Am is a reversible modification located at the first transcribed nucleotide, which is present in about 30% of cellular mRNAs, thus m6Am can have a significant impact on gene expression in the transcriptome. Phosphorylated CTD interaction factor 1(PCIF1), the unique and specific methyltransferase of m6Am, has been shown to affect mRNA stability, transcription, and translation. Several studies have shown that PCIF1 is clearly associated with tumor, viral, and endocrine diseases. Moreover, PCIF1 may be related to the tumor microenvironment, immune cell typing, and programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) drug resistance. Here, we summarize the mechanism of PCIF1 involvement in mRNA modifications, and outline m6Am modifications and diseases in which PCIF1 is involved. We also summarized the role of PCIF1 in immune and immune checkpoint blockade(ICB) treatment, and predicted the possibility of PCIF1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xi Pu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sihui Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengqiao Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haowen Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China.
- Digestive Disease Research Institute of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China.
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Liang S, Almohammed R, Cowling VH. The RNA cap methyltransferases RNMT and CMTR1 co-ordinate gene expression during neural differentiation. Biochem Soc Trans 2023:233029. [PMID: 37145036 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of RNA cap formation has potent impacts on gene regulation, controlling which transcripts are expressed, processed and translated into protein. Recently, the RNA cap methyltransferases RNA guanine-7 methyltransferase (RNMT) and cap-specific mRNA (nucleoside-2'-O-)-methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1) have been found to be independently regulated during embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation controlling the expression of overlapping and distinct protein families. During neural differentiation, RNMT is repressed and CMTR1 is up-regulated. RNMT promotes expression of the pluripotency-associated gene products; repression of the RNMT complex (RNMT-RAM) is required for repression of these RNAs and proteins during differentiation. The predominant RNA targets of CMTR1 encode the histones and ribosomal proteins (RPs). CMTR1 up-regulation is required to maintain the expression of histones and RPs during differentiation and to maintain DNA replication, RNA translation and cell proliferation. Thus the co-ordinate regulation of RNMT and CMTR1 is required for different aspects of ES cell differentiation. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which RNMT and CMTR1 are independently regulated during ES cell differentiation and explore how this influences the co-ordinated gene regulation required of emerging cell lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Liang
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
| | - Rajaei Almohammed
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
| | - Victoria H Cowling
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
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