METTL16

METTL16 (Methyltransferase Like 16) is a Protein Coding gene. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include 23S rRNA (adenine(1618)-N(6))-methyltransferase activity.

Full Name

METHYLTRANSFERASE LIKE 16

Function

RNA N6-methyltransferase that methylates adenosine residues at the N6 position of a subset of RNAs and is involved in S-adenosyl-L-methionine homeostasis by regulating expression of MAT2A transcripts (PubMed:28525753, PubMed:30197299, PubMed:30197297, PubMed:33428944, PubMed:33930289).

Able to N6-methylate a subset of mRNAs and U6 small nuclear RNAs (U6 snRNAs) (PubMed:28525753).

In contrast to the METTL3-METTL14 heterodimer, only able to methylate a limited number of RNAs: requires both a 5'UACAGAGAA-3' nonamer sequence and a specific RNA structure (PubMed:28525753, PubMed:30197299, PubMed:30197297).

Plays a key role in S-adenosyl-L-methionine homeostasis by mediating N6-methylation of MAT2A mRNAs, altering splicing of MAT2A transcripts: in presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, binds the 3'-UTR region of MAT2A mRNA and specifically N6-methylates the first hairpin of MAT2A mRNA, preventing recognition of their 3'-splice site by U2AF1/U2AF35, thereby inhibiting splicing and protein production of S-adenosylmethionine synthase (PubMed:28525753, PubMed:33930289).

In S-adenosyl-L-methionine-limiting conditions, binds the 3'-UTR region of MAT2A mRNA but stalls due to the lack of a methyl donor, preventing N6-methylation and promoting expression of MAT2A (PubMed:28525753).

In addition to mRNAs, also able to mediate N6-methylation of U6 small nuclear RNA (U6 snRNA): specifically N6-methylates adenine in position 43 of U6 snRNAs (PubMed:28525753, PubMed:29051200, PubMed:32266935).

Also able to bind various lncRNAs, such as 7SK snRNA (7SK RNA) or 7SL RNA (PubMed:29051200).

Specifically binds the 3'-end of the MALAT1 long non-coding RNA (PubMed:27872311).

Biological Process

mRNA catabolic process Source: UniProtKB
mRNA destabilization Source: UniProtKB
mRNA methylation Source: UniProtKB
Negative regulation of 3'-UTR-mediated mRNA stabilization Source: UniProtKB
Posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of mRNA splicing, via spliceosome Source: UniProtKB
rRNA base methylation Source: GO_Central
S-adenosylmethionine biosynthetic process Source: UniProtKB
snRNA (adenine-N6)-methylation Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm
Nucleus