RNA Modifications and Epitranscriptomics

In recent years, RNA modification has led to exciting new findings in epigenetic research, attracting the best scientists globally. Numerous studies have demonstrated that among hundreds of modifications in RNA, RNA methylation and editing were the critical mechanisms underlying the epi-regulation of gene expression and protein translation. In particular, significant advances in methods for imaging and detailing characteristics of RNA methylation have also helped researchers understand RNA demethylases, methyltransferases, binding proteins, and their biological function during RNA methylation. For instance, studies revealed that RNA modifications, in general, play a critical role in cancer cell development. Furthermore, virus replication within the host cell is affected by the interference of RNA modifications. RNA modifications play a crucial role in a variety of organisms and responses, including animal cells, plant development, and stress responses.

In this Research Topic, we aim to gather articles from epi-transcriptomics studies on any form of life, including viruses, microbes, plants, and animals. Additionally, we will consider research that reveals the role of epitranscriptomics in multiple human diseases. We welcome Original Research, Brief Research Reports, and Review articles covering: RNA modification motifs, functions of modification systems, and also relevant discoveries on RNA modification phenomena in both coding and non-coding RNAs.

We are also interested in epitranscriptome bioinformatics, including but not limited to, in silico identification of RNA modification sites from primary sequences, novel computational approaches, and new software tools for analysis of high-throughput epitranscriptome profiling datasets, RNA modifications databases, and computational methods to predict RNA secondary structures and RNA interaction for modified RNA molecules.