YTHDC1 mediates nuclear export of N6-methyladenosine methylated mRNAs

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and plays critical roles in RNA biology. The function of this modification is mediated by m6A-selective ‘reader’ proteins of the YTH family, which incorporate m6A-modified mRNAs into pathways of RNA metabolism. Here, we show that the m6A-binding protein YTHDC1 mediates export of methylated mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in HeLa cells. Knockdown of YTHDC1 results in an extended residence time for nuclear m6A-containing mRNA, with an accumulation of transcripts in the nucleus and accompanying depletion within the cytoplasm. YTHDC1 interacts with the splicing factor and nuclear export adaptor protein…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1048528, CHE-1048528
• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• UO
  University of Chicago
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 31471400, 31171377
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: GM113194, HG008688
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Awards: F30GM117646, GM113194, HG008688
• DO
  Division of Chemistry

  Award: CHE-1048528