Advances in the detection of RNA epigenetic modifications

Abstract:

RNA modification is an important factor in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and is of great research importance in all areas of epigenetics. Currently，many known methods for RNA modification detection rely in part on the specificity of antibodies. The most commonly used method is high-throughput sequencing based on antibody immunoprecipitation，but this method is also prone to false-positive and false-negative results. Therefore，a series of antibody-free sequencing methods have also emerged in recent years，as well as the exploration of new methods for cost-effective and simple antibody-free RNA modification biosensing assays. In addition，site-specific RNA modification detection is crucial for probing the specific regulatory mechanisms of methylation on diseases，and single-base resolution assay construction is a necessary prerequisite. This review summarizes new methods for the specific detection of RNA methylation modifications in recent years and for the quantitative detection of site-specific RNA modifications，and mainly summarize the advantages and shortcomings of different detection methods based on immune pathways，methylation-specific enzyme pathways，hybridization methods，chemical treatment，labeling techniques，and in situ detection of RNA modifications. We also discuss the research prospects of universal detection methods and third-generation sequencing for direct detection of RNA methylation modifications.