RNA Modifications in the Central Nervous System

Epitranscriptomics, a recently emerged field to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression through enzyme-mediated RNA modifications, is rapidly evolving and integrating with neuroscience. Using a rich repertoire of modified nucleosides and strategically positioning them to the functionally important and evolutionarily conserved regions of the RNA, epitranscriptomics dictates RNA-mediated cell function. The new field is quickly changing our view of the genetic geography in the brain during development and plasticity, impacting major functions from cortical neurogenesis, circadian rhythm, learning and memory, to reward, addiction, stress, stroke, and spinal injury, etc. Thus understanding the molecular components and operational rules of this pathway is becoming a key for us to decipher the genetic code for brain development, function, and disease. What RNA modifications are expressed in the brain? What RNAs carry them and rely on them for function? Are they dynamically regulated? How are they regulated and how do they contribute to gene expression regulation and brain function? This chapter summarizes recent advances that are beginning to answer these questions.