[59] Epitranscriptomics

Question 1

What is Epitranscriptomics?

Answer 1

It’s the study of RNA modifications and their role in gene expression regulation.

Question 2

How does epitranscriptomics differ from epigenetics?

Answer 2

While both involve modifications, epigenetics is about DNA and histone modifications, while epitranscriptomics deals with RNA modifications.

Question 3

Name a common type of RNA modification studied in epitranscriptomics?

Answer 3

N6-methyladenosine (m6A)

Question 4

What does m6A stand for?

Answer 4

N6-methyladenosine

Question 5

What role does m6A modification play in RNA function?

Answer 5

It influences various aspects of RNA metabolism, including stability, splicing, transport, and translation.

Question 6

What is RNA metabolism?

Answer 6

It refers to the various processes that maintain RNA quality and quantity, like synthesis, modification, degradation, and others.

Question 7

What is an “RNA modification writer”?

Answer 7

An enzyme that adds a modification to the RNA molecule.

Question 8

Can you name an example of an RNA modification writer?

Answer 8

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)

Question 9

What does METTL3 stand for?

Answer 9

Methyltransferase-like 3

Question 10

What is an “RNA modification eraser”?

Answer 10

An enzyme that removes a modification from the RNA molecule.

Question 11

Can you name an example of an RNA modification eraser?

Answer 11

Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO)

Question 12

What does FTO stand for?

Answer 12

Fat mass and obesity-associated protein

Question 13

What is an “RNA modification reader”?

Answer 13

A protein that recognizes and binds to the modified RNA, affecting its function.

Question 14

Can you name an example of an RNA modification reader?

Answer 14

YTH domain-containing family protein (YTHDF)

Question 15

What does YTHDF stand for?

Answer 15

YTH domain-containing family protein

Question 16

How does epitranscriptomics contribute to our understanding of disease?

Answer 16

RNA modifications can affect gene expression and cellular processes, contributing to disease development or progression.

Question 17

What is the potential application of epitranscriptomics in medicine?

Answer 17

The understanding and manipulation of RNA modifications can potentially be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases.

Question 18

Can you name a disease that has been linked to RNA modifications?

Answer 18

Cancer

Question 19

How can RNA modifications be detected?

Answer 19

Techniques include mass spectrometry, next-generation sequencing, and antibodies specific to certain modifications.

Question 20

How does next-generation sequencing contribute to epitranscriptomics?

Answer 20

It enables high-throughput, precise mapping of RNA modifications across the transcriptome.