The expression of genes has to be carefully regulated in cells; active genes give cells their identity and ability to function. Epigenetic features are just one way that cells control gene expression, and they do so without altering the sequence of genes. These may involve chemical groups like methyl tags that adorn DNA, or structural characteristics that relate to proteins that organize DNA. But scientists have also been learning about how epigenetics affect RNA. New findings on a balancing act in epigenetics, which works on DNA and RNA, have been reported in Cell.
When genes are expressed, they are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. The cell can then translate those mRNA molecules into proteins, which carry out a variety of functions. Scientists have identified an epigenetic mechanism that seems to balance gene expression. One facet of the mechanism can promote the transcription and organization of genes, while the other causes mRNA transcripts to lose stability, and can adjust how those transcripts are used. This work has shown that DNA and RNA epigenetics may be more closely linked than known.
The study has indicated that this mechanism allows for very precise control of gene activity, which can be critical at times of development, and cellular coordination.
The epigenetic mark 5-methylcytosine (5mc) can have an impact on DNA and increase the transcription of genes, while another marker known as N6-methyladenosine (m6A) affects mRNA transcripts, causing them to lose stability. When both markers are working on one gene, the gene can be activated more effectively, and when one of the markers is disrupted or working improperly, the activity of the gene is reduced.
The researchers suggested that this is a novel mechanism in gene regulation, and it could advance our understanding of some diseases, including some types of cancer. It may be possible to develop therapeutics that are based on epigenetic markers and more tailored to an individual patient, for example.
Right now, some of the study authors are investigating how this data can be applied in the clinic.
Sources: Université libre de Bruxelles, Cell
