Two zinc finger proteins with functions in m<sup>6</sup>A writing interact with HAKAI.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 35236848.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-022-28753-3 and PMC identifier 8891334.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The methyltransferase complex (m<sup>6</sup>A writer), which catalyzes the deposition of N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A) in mRNAs, is highly conserved across most eukaryotic organisms, but its components and interactions between them are still far from fully understood. Here, using in vivo interaction proteomics, two HAKAI-interacting zinc finger proteins, HIZ1 and HIZ2, are discovered as components of the Arabidopsis m<sup>6</sup>A writer complex. HAKAI is required for the interaction between HIZ1 and MTA (mRNA adenosine methylase A). Whilst HIZ1 knockout plants have normal levels of m<sup>6</sup>A, plants in which it is overexpressed show reduced methylation and decreased lateral root formation. Mutant plants lacking HIZ2 are viable but have an 85% reduction in m<sup>6</sup>A abundance and show severe developmental defects. Our findings suggest that HIZ2 is likely the plant equivalent of ZC3H13 (Flacc) of the metazoan m<sup>6</sup>A-METTL Associated Complex.
Medical subject headings
- Arabidopsis
- Arabidopsis Proteins