The Role of Epitranscriptomic Modifications in the Regulation of RNA–Protein Interactions

Abstract

Epitranscriptome refers to post-transcriptional modifications to RNA and their associated regulatory factors that can govern changes in an organism’s cells in response to various environmental stimuli. Recent studies have recognized over 170 distinct chemical signatures in RNA, and the list keeps expanding. These modifications are hypothesized to have roles beyond simply fine-tuning the structure and function of RNA, as studies have linked them to various infectious and noninfectious diseases in humans. Dedicated cellular machinery comprising of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that can write, erase, and read these modifications drives the regulation of the epitranscriptomic code, and as such influences RNA metabolism and homeostasis. Equally, perturbations in the function of RBPs may disrupt RNA processing, further implicating them in pathogenesis. As such, the mechanisms underlying RNA modifications and their association with RBPs are emerging areas of interest within the field of biomedicine. This review focuses on understanding epitranscriptomic modifications, their effects on RNA–RBPs interactions, and their influence on cellular processes.