m1A Post-Transcriptional Modification in tRNAs

To date, about 90 post-transcriptional modifications have been reported in tRNA expanding their chemical and functional diversity. Methylation is the most frequent post-transcriptional tRNA modification that can occur on almost all nitrogen sites of the nucleobases, on the C5 atom of pyrimidines, on the C2 and C8 atoms of adenosine and, additionally, on the oxygen of the ribose 2-OH. The methylation on the N1 atom of adenosine to form 1-methyladenosine (m(1)A) has been identified at nucleotide position 9, 14, 22, 57, and 58 in different tRNAs. In some cases, these modifications have been shown to increase tRNA structural stability and induce correct tRNA folding. This review provides an overview of the currently known m(1)A modifications, the different m(1)A modification sites, the biological role of each modification, and the enzyme responsible for each methylation in different species. The review further describes, in detail, two enzyme families responsible for formation of m(1)A at nucleotide position 9 and 58 in tRNA with a focus on the tRNA binding, m(1)A mechanism, protein domain organisation and overall structures.