REVIEW article
Front. Mol. Biosci.
Sec. RNA Networks and Biology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2025.1657502
Recent research advances in RNA m5C methylation modification in liver diseases
Provisionally accepted
- 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- 2Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microecology and Hepatology, Luoyang, China
- 3Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- 4Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
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RNA m5C methylation refers to the process wherein the 5th carbon atom of cytosine in RNA molecules is methylated by the action of methyltransferase, thus forming 5-methylcytosine (m5C). This crucial epigenetic modification significantly impacts gene expression and various biological processes. The abnormal regulation of this process is closely linked to the occurrence and development of various diseases. The liver is the largest digestive metabolic organ, where numerous critical physiological processes take place. Recent studies have emphasized the unique role of m5C modifications in liver physiology and pathology. This review summarizes the common m5C regulatory factors and their functions, with a particular emphasis on the biological roles of m5C RNA methylation regulators in liver injury, liver immunology, viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer. Furthermore, it compiles findings on m5C regulators and their inhibitors in the treatment and prognosis of liver diseases.
Keywords: Liver disease, m5C modification, Hepatic pathophysiology, Lipid Metabolism, HBV, HCV, liver cancer, M5C regulatory factor
Received: 10 Jul 2025; Accepted: 06 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chen, Zhang, Gu, Liu, Zhang, Hu and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Xinjun Hu, hxj5129@163.com
Penghui Li, lph0819@163.com
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