Nucleoside Analogs in the Study of the Epitranscriptome

Publication date: Available online 26 October 2018Source: MethodsAuthor(s): Cody M. Palumbo, Peter A. BealAbstractOver 150 unique RNA modifications are now known including several nonstandard nucleotides present in the body of messenger RNAs. These modifications can alter a transcript’s function and are collectively referred to as the epitrancriptome. Chemically modified nucleoside analogs are poised to play an important role in the study of these epitranscriptomic marks. Introduced chemical features on nucleic acid strands provide unique structures or reactivity that can be used for downstream detection or quantification. Three methods are commonly used in the field to synthesize oligonucleotides containing chemically modified nucleoside analogs. Nucleoside analogs can be introduced via phosphoramidite-based chemical synthesis, via polymerases with modified nucleotide triphosphates or by metabolic labeling. In this review, these methods for incorporation of nucleoside analogs will be discussed with specific recently published examples pertaining to the study of the epitranscriptome.
Source: Methods - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research