The recent improvement of high-throughput sequencing strategies and analysis pipelines has allowed the identification and mapping of hundreds of RNA modifications. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in mRNA and is found in virtually all mammals. Adenosine methylation levels are regulated by protein complexes including “writers” such as methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and 14 (METTL14), and “erasers”, including fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Several RNA binding proteins – “readers”, including YT521-B homology family proteins (e.g.YTHDF1, YTHDF2, and YTHDF3) recognize methylated adenosines and regulate several aspects of mRNA biology. m6A exerts its functions by three main mechanisms: 1) mRNA translation efficiency, 2) regulation of mRNA stability, and 3) controlling nuclear to cytoplasm export, on a set of mRNA pools.
There is a direct relationship between RNA modifications and metabolism. Availability of metabolites generated by cellular metabolic pathways can serve as substrates and/or allosteric regulators of these enzymatic processes. Perturbation of cellular pathways involved in the generation of these metabolic intermediates, such as several associated with aging, can impact RNA modifications landscape with profound transcriptional consequences. Furthermore, a growing number of recent studies have been showing the involvement of RNA modifications in the pathophysiology of several age-associated pathologies, including diabetes, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases.
While the epitranscriptomic field has emerged, the precise mechanisms involved in the regulation of the different metabolic processes are still far from being totally understood. The goal of this research topic is to compile both original research and review articles related to the involvement of RNA modifications in the regulation of biological processes bridging metabolism and aging. This will provide us with a great opportunity to address open questions and challenges in this emerging field.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini-Reviews, and Protocols that cover, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Epitranscriptomic landscape characterization of metabolic tissues in normal physiology and/or age-associated pathologies;
• Identification and characterization of RNA modifications regulators;
• Epitranscriptomic control of gene expression, mRNA decay and/or mRNA translation efficiency;
• Interaction between metabolism and the epitranscriptome;
• Interaction between aging and the epitranscriptome;
• Significance of small non-coding RNA epitranscriptome in age-associated metabolic perturbations;
• Inhibitors to target RNA modifications for therapeutical approaches;
• Advancements in sequencing and bioinformatic methodologies in the field of epitranscriptomics applied to metabolism and/or aging.
The recent improvement of high-throughput sequencing strategies and analysis pipelines has allowed the identification and mapping of hundreds of RNA modifications. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in mRNA and is found in virtually all mammals. Adenosine methylation levels are regulated by protein complexes including “writers” such as methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and 14 (METTL14), and “erasers”, including fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Several RNA binding proteins – “readers”, including YT521-B homology family proteins (e.g.YTHDF1, YTHDF2, and YTHDF3) recognize methylated adenosines and regulate several aspects of mRNA biology. m6A exerts its functions by three main mechanisms: 1) mRNA translation efficiency, 2) regulation of mRNA stability, and 3) controlling nuclear to cytoplasm export, on a set of mRNA pools.
There is a direct relationship between RNA modifications and metabolism. Availability of metabolites generated by cellular metabolic pathways can serve as substrates and/or allosteric regulators of these enzymatic processes. Perturbation of cellular pathways involved in the generation of these metabolic intermediates, such as several associated with aging, can impact RNA modifications landscape with profound transcriptional consequences. Furthermore, a growing number of recent studies have been showing the involvement of RNA modifications in the pathophysiology of several age-associated pathologies, including diabetes, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases.
While the epitranscriptomic field has emerged, the precise mechanisms involved in the regulation of the different metabolic processes are still far from being totally understood. The goal of this research topic is to compile both original research and review articles related to the involvement of RNA modifications in the regulation of biological processes bridging metabolism and aging. This will provide us with a great opportunity to address open questions and challenges in this emerging field.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini-Reviews, and Protocols that cover, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Epitranscriptomic landscape characterization of metabolic tissues in normal physiology and/or age-associated pathologies;
• Identification and characterization of RNA modifications regulators;
• Epitranscriptomic control of gene expression, mRNA decay and/or mRNA translation efficiency;
• Interaction between metabolism and the epitranscriptome;
• Interaction between aging and the epitranscriptome;
• Significance of small non-coding RNA epitranscriptome in age-associated metabolic perturbations;
• Inhibitors to target RNA modifications for therapeutical approaches;
• Advancements in sequencing and bioinformatic methodologies in the field of epitranscriptomics applied to metabolism and/or aging.
