M6A RNA methylation of major satellite repeat transcripts facilitates chromatin association and RNA:DNA hybrid formation in mouse heterochromatin.

ABSTRACT: Heterochromatin has essential functions in maintaining chromosome structure, in protecting genome integrity and in stabilizing gene expression programs. Heterochromatin is often nucleated by underlying DNA repeat sequences, such as major satellite repeats (MSR) and long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE). In order to establish heterochromatin, MSR and LINE elements need to be transcriptionally competent and generate non-coding repeat RNA that remain chromatin associated. We explored whether these heterochromatic RNA, similar to DNA and histones, may be methylated, particularly for 5-methylcytosine (5mC) or methyl-6-adenosine (m6A). Our analysis in mouse ES cells identifies only background level of 5mC but significant enrichment for m6A on heterochromatic RNA. Moreover, MSR transcripts ar

SUBMITTER: Duda KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8191757 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature