Splice site m6A methylation prevents binding of U2AF35 to inhibit RNA splicing

The N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) RNA modification is used widely to alter the fate of mRNAs. Here we demonstrate that the C. elegans writer METT-10 (the ortholog of mouse METTL16) deposits an m(6)A mark on the 3' splice site (AG) of the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase pre-mRNA, which inhibits its proper splicing and protein production. The mechanism is triggered by a rich diet and acts as an m(6)A-mediated switch to stop SAM production and regulate its homeostasis. Although the mammalian SAM synthetase pre-mRNA is not regulated via this mechanism, we show that splicing inhibition by 3' splice site m(6)A is conserved in mammals. The modification functions by physically preventing the essential splicing factor U2AF35 from recognizing the 3' splice site. We propose that use of splice-site m(6)A is an ancient mechanism for splicing regulation.

Automated summary

The study reveals that the C. elegans writer METT-10 deposits an m(6)A mark on the SAM synthetase pre-mRNA, inhibiting proper splicing and protein production triggered by a rich diet. Although the mechanism is not present in mammalian SAM synthetase pre-mRNA, splicing inhibition by 3' splice site m(6)A is conserved in mammals.