1.
RSVdb: a comprehensive database of transcriptome RNA structure.
Yu, H, Zhang, Y, Sun, Q, Gao, H, Tao, S
Briefings in bioinformatics. 2021;(3)
Abstract
RNA fulfills a crucial regulatory role in cells by folding into a complex RNA structure. To date, a chemical compound, dimethyl sulfate (DMS), has been developed to probe the RNA structure at the transcriptome level effectively. We proposed a database, RSVdb (https://taolab.nwafu.edu.cn/rsvdb/), for the browsing and visualization of transcriptome RNA structures. RSVdb, including 626 225 RNAs with validated DMS reactivity from 178 samples in eight species, supports four main functions: information retrieval, research overview, structure prediction and resource download. Users can search for species, studies, transcripts and genes of interest; browse the quality control of sequencing data and statistical charts of RNA structure information; preview and perform online prediction of RNA structures in silico and under DMS restraint of different experimental treatments and download RNA structure data for species and studies. Together, RSVdb provides a reference for RNA structure and will support future research on the function of RNA structure at the transcriptome level.
2.
The RNA m6A writer METTL14 in cancers: Roles, structures, and applications.
Zhou, H, Yin, K, Zhang, Y, Tian, J, Wang, S
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer. 2021;(2):188609
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant and diverse epigenetic modification of mRNAs in eukaryotes, and it regulates biological metabolism, cell differentiation and cycles, and responses to heat shock stress, cancers and other diseases. RNA methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) and other proteins possessing methyltransferase (MTase) capability including Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), RNA-binding motif protein 15(RBM15), KIAA1429 and zinc finger CCCH-type containing 13 (ZC3H13) constitute the m6A writer complex. Although METTL3 is the catalytic subunit, its activity is strongly dependent on METTL14, which is crucial in maintaining complex integrity and recognizing special RNA substrates. Currently, the roles of m6A modification in cancers are being extensively reviewed. The critical functions of METTL14 in the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers as well as the potential targeting of METTL14 as a cancer treatment have not yet been highlighted. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the m6A modification and focus on the structure and functions of METTL14 as well as its roles in oncogenesis, metastasis progression, treatment and prognosis in cancer.