Journal
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
Volume 13, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.914404
Keywords
methylation; DNA modification; N6-methyladenine; eukaryotic genome; epigenetics
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31701162]
- Key Research and Development Program of Anhui Province [202104a07020031]
- College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Anhui Province [S202110366054]
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DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark in various biological activities. While past research focused on 5 mC, there has been limited attention given to N6-methyladenine (6 mA). With the development of detection technologies, 6 mA has been found in several eukaryotes. However, due to its low density and detection limitations, the prevalence and role of 6 mA in eukaryotic organisms are still debated.
DNA methylation is treated as an important epigenetic mark in various biological activities. In the past, a large number of articles focused on 5 mC while lacking attention to N6-methyladenine (6 mA). The presence of 6 mA modification was previously discovered only in prokaryotes. Recently, with the development of detection technologies, 6 mA has been found in several eukaryotes, including protozoans, metazoans, plants, and fungi. The importance of 6 mA in prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes has been widely accepted. However, due to the incredibly low density of 6 mA and restrictions on detection technologies, the prevalence of 6 mA and its role in biological processes in eukaryotic organisms are highly debated. In this review, we first summarize the advantages and disadvantages of 6 mA detection methods. Then, we conclude existing reports on the prevalence of 6 mA in eukaryotic organisms. Next, we highlight possible methyltransferases, demethylases, and the recognition proteins of 6 mA. In addition, we summarize the functions of 6 mA in eukaryotes. Last but not least, we summarize our point of view and put forward the problems that need further research.
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