5-methylcytosine RNA methylation machinery (m5C RNA methylation machinery)

The 5-methylcytosine (m5C) RNA methylation machinery is a sophisticated regulatory system involved in the post-transcriptional modification of RNA, encompassing mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA (PubMed: 34155111). This machinery is composed of 'writers' (primarily the NSUN family methyltransferases like NSUN2 and TRDMT1), 'readers' (such as ALYREF and YBX1) that interpret the modification to influence RNA export and translation, and 'erasers' (like TET2) that catalyze the removal of the methyl group (UniProt P0C1Z2; PubMed: 28418038). Biologically, m5C plays a critical role in maintaining RNA stability and ensuring efficient protein synthesis, which is vital for cell differentiation and stress responses. In clinical contexts, the overexpression of m5C writers is frequently observed in various malignancies, including breast, gastric, and liver cancers, where they stabilize oncogenic mRNAs to drive tumor progression (PubMed: 31138903). As a result, the m5C machinery is being actively investigated as a therapeutic target, with research focusing on small molecule inhibitors of NSUN2 and the use of nucleoside analogs like 5-Azacytidine, which can incorporate into RNA and inhibit m5C formation (PubChem CID 9444).

Other names

m5C RNA modification systemRNA:m5C methyltransferase complexm5C regulators5-methylcytosine RNA modification machinery

Inhibition of RNA methyltransferase activity (writers) or disruption of reader protein binding to m5C-modified RNA to suppress oncogenic gene expression.