《生命科学》 2021, 33(6): 667-686

植物DNA和mRNA中N6-甲基腺嘌呤的比较研究

周笑琦 , 吕政熠 , 管　伦 , 张超瑛 , 陈　鹏^*

华中农业大学植物科学技术学院，武汉 430070

摘　要：

DNA、RNA 的甲基化作为重要的表观遗传标记，在真核生物多个细胞过程中发挥作用。DNA 中的N6- 甲基腺嘌呤(N6-methyladenine in DNA, 6mA) 和RNA 中的N6- 甲基腺嘌呤(N6-methyladenine in RNA, m6A) 均为来自腺嘌呤第6 位的甲基化修饰，在合成和功能上有相似性也有区别。6mA 或m6A 的修饰缺陷影响植物胚胎发育、干细胞分化、组织器官发生及应激反应等。meRIPseq 等技术的发展为全组甲基化位点鉴定提供了基础，未来将更加注重于功能研究。该文对近年来植物6mA 或m6A 甲基化位点的全组鉴定、合成、调控及成员功能研究进行回顾和比较，并展望未来的研究方向。

通讯作者：陈　鹏 , Email:chenpeng@mail.hzau.edu.cn

Comparative study of DNA and mRNA N6-methyladenine in plants

ZHOU Xiao-Qi , LV Zheng-Yi , GUAN Lun , ZHANG Chao-Ying , CHEN Peng^*

College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Abstract:

As important epigenetic markers, DNA and RNA methylation play essential roles in multiple cellular processes in eukaryotes. N6-methyladenine in DNA (6mA) and N6-methyladenine in RNA (m6A) are both derived from the methylation of adenosine at the N6-position. They are similar in terms of synthesis, but are very different in target molecules and biological functions. In higher plants, 6mA or m6A modification defects impair plant growth and development, stem cell differentiation, tissue organogenesis, stress response and so on. Advances in meRIPseq and other technologies provide the possibility to identify methylation sites at the whole genome or whole transcriptome level, and more attention will be paid to functional research in the future. This review summarizes the latest advances in the identification, distribution, synthesis and function of m6A and 6mA in plants, and discusses the future prospects of this research field in order to have a better understanding of these two adenosine methylation markers.

Communication Author：CHEN Peng , Email:chenpeng@mail.hzau.edu.cn