Newly developed software reveals the relationship between epitranscriptomics and cancer

A research team from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore has made a breakthrough in research.

Under the leadership of Professor Daniel Tenan and Dr.

"This work is one of the few studies showing that mRNA modification is related to cancer development

"In the past decade, the ability to sequence the human genome has changed the study of normal processes and diseases such as cancer

The team’s breakthrough was published in the well-known scientific journal "Science Advances" on August 4, 2021

What is RNA modification?

Although most people are familiar with DNA, RNA plays an equally important role in human cell function

For example, messenger RNA (mRNA) conveys genetic information that directs the production of different proteins

Other types of RNA perform other important functions

Small chemical modifications to RNA sometimes occur and change the function and stability of the molecule

In a large number of patient cohorts, collecting and processing patient samples is challenging

Software makes epitranscriptomics easier

The software developed by the CSI Singapore team used RNA sequences obtained from other large clinical cohort studies

Unlike other models, ModTect does not require a database of mismatch signal profiles corresponding to different types of RNA modifications to identify or classify them

By applying the software to the RNA sequencing dataset of approximately 11,000 cancer patients, the CSI Singapore team was able to conduct a new study investigating the association between RNA modification and patient clinical outcomes

Solve the mystery of sequence differences that escape detection

As mentioned earlier, transferring genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the RNA molecule and carrying it to the ribosome of the cell is a key process

The Singapore CSI team found a potential explanation why these RNA modification signals have not been detected for many years

To solve this problem, the research team used a newly developed reverse transcriptase, an enzyme known for bypassing the effects of these modification sites

Epitranscriptomics is still an emerging and rapidly developing field, with approximately 170 RNA modifications detected so far
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By using ModTect, Professor Tenen and his team can provide new insights into the relationship between human diseases (such as cancer) and this RNA modification
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The software will be made public on Github for other scientists to use
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The team hopes that their contributions will help further research to establish any potential causal or mechanistic relationship between RNA modification and tumor formation
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