N6-methyladenosine in 7SK small nuclear RNA underlies RNA polymerase II transcription regulation

Wang et  al. discovered that 7SK RNA contains high levels of m6A in lung cancer cells. METTL3 and ALKBH5 modify 7SK at eight different m6A sites. Removal of m6A induces 7SK conformational change and sequesters P-TEFb, leading to RNA Pol II promoter-proximal pausing, inhibited transcription, and cancer cell growth.

Source: Molecular Cell - October 10, 2023 Category: Cytology Authors: Yuzhi Wang, Conner M. Traugot, Jodi L. Bubenik, Tianqi Li, Peike Sheng, Nicholas M. Hiers, Paul Fernandez, Lu Li, Jiang Bian, Maurice S. Swanson, Mingyi Xie Tags: Article Source Type: research