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Review
. 2021 Oct 15;18(sup1):51-60.
doi: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1985348. Epub 2021 Sep 28.

Epitranscriptomic signatures in stem cell differentiation to the neuronal lineage

Aida Șelaru  1 , Marieta Costache  1   2 , Sorina Dinescu  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Epitranscriptomic signatures in stem cell differentiation to the neuronal lineage

Aida Șelaru et al. RNA Biol. .

Abstract

Considered to be a field that is continuously growing, epitranscriptomics analyzes the modifications that occur in RNA transcripts and their downstream effects. As epigenetic modifications found in DNA and histones exhibit specific roles on various biological processes, also epitranscriptomic marks control gene expression patterns that are crucial for proper cell proliferation, differentiation and tissue development. Thus, various epitranscriptomic signatures have been identified to play specific roles during stem cell differentiation towards the neuronal and glial lineages, axonal guidance, synaptic plasticity, thus leading to the development of the mature brain tissue. Here we describe in-depth molecular mechanism underlying the most important RNA modifications with emerging roles in the nervous system.

Keywords: Epitranscriptomic marks; Nm; m6A. m5C; neural development; neural stem cell differentiation; neurodegenerative disease; ψ.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Epitranscriptomic modifications which occur in RNA species and their possible roles in RNA metabolism including splicing, nuclear export, and translation
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Role of epitranscriptomic marks in the cellular differentiation and development of neural structures
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Epitranscriptomic regulation in injured nervous tissue. (A) The response to injuries in the PNS relies on the activation of RAGs, which have been found to be methylated, thus indicating that RNA modifications are required for proper regeneration proteome machinery responsible for ensuring regeneration. (B) Upon injuries in the CNS, neurons fail to regenerate, leading to degenerative tissue which is commonly for several severe brain disorders. Image created with BioRender.com
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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