Structures and mechanisms of U6 snRNA m⁶A modification by METTL16.

Abstract

The N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification in U6 snRNA, catalyzed by METTL16 using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor, is required for efficient and accurate pre-mRNA splicing. However, the mechanism by which METTL16 modifies U6 snRNA with m⁶A remains elusive. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of METTL16 in complex with U6 snRNA, providing insights into the METTL16-mediated modification of U6 snRNA with m⁶A. The structures reveal that U6 snRNA is recruited to METTL16 through specific interactions between the C-terminal kinase-associated 1 (KA-1) domain of METTL16 and the internal stem-loop (ISL) of U6 snRNA. Upon SAM binding to the catalytic pocket within the N-terminal methyltransferase domain (MTD), U6 snRNA undergoes a structural rearrangement that positions the target adenine-containing motif at the catalytic site. This conformational change is followed by an additional structural adjustment of U6 snRNA into a productive conformation, bringing the target adenosine closer to SAM within the catalytic pocket and thereby ensuring efficient m⁶A modification. The KA-1 domain functions as a scaffold for initial substrate recognition and facilitates the subsequent dynamic methylation process within the MTD, highlighting the cooperative roles of METTL16 domains for U6 snRNA modification.