RNA editing

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional molecular process in which specific nucleotides within an RNA molecule are altered, inserted, or deleted after transcription, resulting in an RNA sequence that can differ from its corresponding genomic DNA. This can include base substitutions (e.g., adenosine-to-inosine [A-to-I] and cytidine-to-uridine [C-to-U] deaminations), as well as insertions or deletions of nucleotides, often mediated by guide RNAs or specific deaminase enzymes. RNA editing occurs in various types of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, miRNA) and in multiple cellular locations including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and plastids[1][3][6][7]. It provides a regulatory layer that diversifies the transcriptome and proteome, enables cellular adaptation, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disorders[4][6]. While not itself a single molecular target, RNA editing is a diverse family of processes and is being explored as a therapeutic avenue for precise, reversible correction of pathogenic RNA sequences; these approaches remain experimental and do not yet involve well-defined drug–target relationships[2].

Other names

RNA modification