A fly view on the roles and mechanisms of the m⁶A mRNA modification and its players

ABSTRACT

RNA modifications are an emerging layer of posttranscriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is among the most abundant modifications in mRNAs (mRNAs) that was shown to influence many physiological processes from yeast to mammals. Like DNA methylation, m⁶A in mRNA is dynamically regulated. A conserved methyltransferase complex catalyzes the deposition of the methyl group on adenosine, which can be removed by specific classes of demethylases. Furthermore, YTH-domain containing proteins can recognize this modification to mediate m⁶A-dependent activities. Here we review the functions and mechanisms of the main m⁶A players with a particular focus on Drosophila melanogaster.

KEYWORDS:

• Drosophila
• m⁶A
• neurogenesis
• RNA modifications
• Sex lethal
• splicing

Disclosure of potential conflict of interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Funding

T. Lence and J-Y Roignant are supported by the Marie Curie CIG (334288), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) SPP1935 Grant (RO 4681/4–1) and the European COST action (CA16120). M. Soller is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).