2. Academic Validation
  3. Means, mechanisms and consequences of adenine methylation in DNA

Means, mechanisms and consequences of adenine methylation in DNA

  • Nat Rev Genet. 2022 Jul;23(7):411-428. doi: 10.1038/s41576-022-00456-x.
Konstantinos Boulias 1 2 3,  Eric Lieberman Greer 4 5 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
  • 2 Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
  • 3 Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
  • 4 Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected].
  • 5 Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected].
  • 6 Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected].
PMID: 35256817 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00456-x
Abstract

N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine (6mA or m6dA) has been reported in the DNA of prokaryotes and eukaryotes ranging from unicellular protozoa and algae to multicellular Plants and mammals. It has been proposed to modulate DNA structure and transcription, transmit information across generations and have a role in disease, among Other functions. However, its existence in more recently evolved eukaryotes remains a topic of debate. Recent technological advancements have facilitated the identification and quantification of 6mA even when the modification is exceptionally rare, but each approach has limitations. Critical assessment of existing data, rigorous design of future studies and further development of methods will be required to confirm the presence and biological functions of 6mA in multicellular eukaryotes.

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