NSUN6 is a human RNA methyltransferase that catalyzes formation of m5C72 in specific tRNAs.

ABSTRACT: Many cellular RNAs require modification of specific residues for their biogenesis, structure, and function. 5-methylcytosine (m(5)C) is a common chemical modification in DNA and RNA but in contrast to the DNA modifying enzymes, only little is known about the methyltransferases that establish m(5)C modifications in RNA. The putative RNA methyltransferase NSUN6 belongs to the family of Nol1/Nop2/SUN domain (NSUN) proteins, but so far its cellular function has remained unknown. To reveal the target spectrum of human NSUN6, we applied UV crosslinking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC) as well as chemical crosslinking with 5-azacytidine. We found that human NSUN6 is associated with tRNAs and acts as a tRNA methyltransferase. Furthermore, we uncovered tRNA(Cys) and tRNA(Thr) as RNA substrates of NSUN6

SUBMITTER: Haag S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4536315 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature