METTL family: A key regulator of cellular function in health and disease

A review published in the journal Molecular Biomedicine provides a comprehensive overview of the METTL family, a group of methyltransferase-like proteins crucial for cellular function. METTL family members are widely distributed across the cell nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria. They play a vital role in regulating gene expression by transferring methyl groups to DNA, RNA, and proteins, thereby affecting processes such as DNA replication, transcription, and mRNA translation.

A review in the journal provides a comprehensive overview of the METTL family, a group of methyltransferase-like proteins crucial for cellular function. METTL family members are widely distributed across the cell nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria. They play a vital role in regulating gene expression by transferring methyl groups to DNA, RNA, and proteins, thereby affecting processes such as DNA replication, transcription, and mRNA translation.

The review highlights the involvement of the METTL family in both physiological and pathological conditions. It discusses their role in normal cell differentiation, maintaining mitochondrial function, and their implication in malignancies, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular ailments. The review was led by Dr.

Jiejie He, Jun Zhang, and Yan Li (Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University). Key findings from the review include: The review emphasizes the potential of the METTL family as crucial diagnostic and therapeutic markers. Future research directions include developing drugs or antibodies targeting specific METTL family members and exploring the use of nanomaterials to deliver miRNA corresponding to METTL family mRNA.

Jiejie He et al, METTL Family in Healthy and Disease, (2024)..