Tet-mediated formation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in RNA

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Aug 20;136(33):11582-5. doi: 10.1021/ja505305z. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

Oxidation of 5-methylcytosine in DNA by ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of enzymes has been demonstrated to play a significant role in epigenetic regulation in mammals. We found that Tet enzymes also possess the activity of catalyzing the formation of 5-hydroxymethylcytidine (5-hmrC) in RNA in vitro. In addition, the catalytic domains of all three Tet enzymes as well as full-length Tet3 could induce the formation of 5-hmrC in human cells. Moreover, 5-hmrC was present at appreciable levels (∼1 per 5000 5-methylcytidine) in RNA of mammalian cells and tissues. Our results suggest the involvement of this oxidation in RNA biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methylcytosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Animals
  • Cytosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cytosine / biosynthesis
  • Cytosine / chemistry
  • Cytosine / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dioxygenases / chemistry
  • Dioxygenases / deficiency
  • Dioxygenases / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA / chemistry
  • RNA / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
  • RNA
  • 5-Methylcytosine
  • Cytosine
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • TET1 protein, human
  • TET3 protein, human
  • Dioxygenases
  • TET2 protein, human