Nuclear 2′- <i>O</i> -methylation regulates RNA splicing through its binding protein FUBP1

2'-<i>O</i>-methylation (N<sub>m</sub>) is an abundant RNA modification exists on different mammalian RNA species. However, potential N<sub>m</sub> recognition by proteins has not been extensively explored. Here, we used RNA affinity purification, followed by mass spectrometry to identify N<sub>m</sub>-binding proteins. The N<sub>m</sub>-binding protein candidates exhibit enriched binding at known N<sub>m</sub> sites. Some candidates display nuclear localization and functions. We focused on the splicing factor FUBP1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay validated preference of FUBP1 to N<sub>m</sub>-modified RNA. As FUBP1 predominantly binds intronic regions, we profiled N<sub>m</sub> sites in chromatin-associated RNA (caRNA) and found N<sub>m</sub> enrichment within introns. Depletion of N<sub>m</sub> led to skipped exons, suggesting N<sub>m</sub>-dependent splicing regulation. The caRNA N<sub>m</sub> sites overlap with FUBP1-binding sites, and N<sub>m</sub> depletion reduced FUBP1 occupancy on modified regions. Furthermore, <i>FUBP1</i> depletion induced exon skipping in N<sub>m</sub>-modified genes, supporting its role in mediating N<sub>m</sub>-dependent splicing regulation. Overall, our findings identify FUBP1 as an N<sub>m</sub>-binding protein and uncover previously unrecognized nuclear functions for RNA N<sub>m</sub> modification.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2025-10-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ady3894
Citations
1
Primary Topic
RNA modifications and cancer
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.81
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article

Nuclear 2′- O -methylation regulates RNA splicing through its binding protein FUBP1

Li Chen, Zhongyu Zou, Boyang Gao, Wanglong Liu et al.
1 citations
Science Advances
RNA modifications and cancer
0.81
article

Nuclear 2′- O -methylation regulates RNA splicing through its binding protein FUBP1

Li Chen, Zhongyu Zou, Boyang Gao, Wanglong Liu, Bochen Jiang, Chuan He, Bei Liu, Lisheng Zhang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

2'-<i>O</i>-methylation (N<sub>m</sub>) is an abundant RNA modification exists on different mammalian RNA species. However, potential N<sub>m</sub> recognition by proteins has not been extensively explored. Here, we used RNA affinity purification, followed by mass spectrometry to identify N<sub>m</sub>-binding proteins. The N<sub>m</sub>-binding protein candidates exhibit enriched binding at known N<sub>m</sub> sites. Some candidates display nuclear localization and functions. We focused on the splicing factor FUBP1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay validated preference of FUBP1 to N<sub>m</sub>-modified RNA. As FUBP1 predominantly binds intronic regions, we profiled N<sub>m</sub> sites in chromatin-associated RNA (caRNA) and found N<sub>m</sub> enrichment within introns. Depletion of N<sub>m</sub> led to skipped exons, suggesting N<sub>m</sub>-dependent splicing regulation. The caRNA N<sub>m</sub> sites overlap with FUBP1-binding sites, and N<sub>m</sub> depletion reduced FUBP1 occupancy on modified regions. Furthermore, <i>FUBP1</i> depletion induced exon skipping in N<sub>m</sub>-modified genes, supporting its role in mediating N<sub>m</sub>-dependent splicing regulation. Overall, our findings identify FUBP1 as an N<sub>m</sub>-binding protein and uncover previously unrecognized nuclear functions for RNA N<sub>m</sub> modification.

Science AdvancesVol. 11(42)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK), University of Chicago (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
RNA modifications and cancer
0.81
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