Su Ning, Yu Xiaohang, Duan Ming, Shi Ning
State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China.
Genes Dis. 2023 Dec 23;12(1):101201. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101201. eCollection 2025 Jan.
microRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded non-coding RNAs between 21 and 25 nt in length in eukaryotic organisms, which control post-transcriptional gene expression. Through complementary base pairing, miRNAs generally bind to their target messenger RNAs and repress protein production by destabilizing the messenger RNA and translational silencing. They regulate almost all life activities, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and host-pathogen interactions. Methylation modification is the most common RNA modification in eukaryotes. miRNA methylation exists in different types, mainly N-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytosine, and 7-methylguanine, which can change the expression level and biological mode of action of miRNAs and improve the activity of regulating gene expression in a very fine-tuned way with flexibility. In this review, we will summarize the recent findings concerning methylation modifications of miRNA, focusing on their biogenesis and the potential role of miRNA fate and functions.
微小RNA(miRNA)是真核生物中长度在21至25个核苷酸之间的短单链非编码RNA,其控制转录后基因表达。通过互补碱基配对,miRNA通常与其靶信使RNA结合,并通过使信使RNA不稳定和翻译沉默来抑制蛋白质产生。它们调节几乎所有生命活动,如细胞增殖、分化、凋亡、肿瘤发生和宿主-病原体相互作用。甲基化修饰是真核生物中最常见的RNA修饰。miRNA甲基化存在不同类型,主要是N-甲基腺苷、5-甲基胞嘧啶和7-甲基鸟嘌呤,它们可以改变miRNA的表达水平和生物学作用模式,并以非常精细且灵活的方式提高调节基因表达的活性。在本综述中,我们将总结有关miRNA甲基化修饰的最新发现,重点关注其生物发生以及miRNA命运和功能的潜在作用。