The Role of RNA Methylation in Regulating Stem Cell Fate and Function-Focus on m6A.

Weiwei Sun,Bin Zhang,Na Ma,Na Liu,Qingli Bie,Zewei Shao,Ann Steele

doi:10.1155/2021/8874360

Abstract

The biological role of RNA methylation in stem cells has attracted increasing attention. Recent studies have demonstrated that RNA methylation plays a crucial role in self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity of stem cells. In this review, we focus on the biological role of RNA methylation modifications including N6-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytosine, and uridylation in embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and cancer stem cells, so as to provide new insights into the potential innovative treatments of cancer or other complex diseases.

Highlights

More than 150 types of RNA modifications have been identified, and they are widely distributed among various types of RNA, such as messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, microRNA, and long noncoding RNA [1]
This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of RNA methylation and the biological functions of RNA methylation in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), adult stem cells (ASCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and cancer stem cells (CSCs), with a focus on m6A
Numerous studies demonstrated a close correlation between RNA methylation and stem cells

Summary

Introduction

More than 150 types of RNA modifications have been identified, and they are widely distributed among various types of RNA, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) [1]. Stem cells are a group of cells with self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation potential [3]. They are the core constituent of regenerative medicine and have been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, such as nervous system, immune system, and hematopoietic diseases [4]. Recent studies have shown that RNA methylation plays a crucial role in the selfrenewal and differentiation of stem cells and tumorigenicity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) [5]. Perhaps due to the lack of effective methods for detecting other RNA modification sites, the research on m5C and U-tail in stem cells is limited. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of RNA methylation and the biological functions of RNA methylation in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), adult stem cells (ASCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and CSCs, with a focus on m6A

RNA Methylation Modifications

U-Tail and Stem Cells

Findings

Conclusions and Perspectives