Naturally occurring RNA always contains numerous biochemically altered nucleotides. They are formed by enzymatic modification of the primary transcripts during the complex RNA maturation process designated RNA modification. A large number of enzymes catalyzing the formation of these modified nucleosides or converting one canonical base into another at the posttranscriptional level have been studied for many years, but only recently have systematic and comparative studies begun. The functions of individual enzymes and/or the modified/edited nucleosides in RNA, however, have remained largely ignored. This book provides advance information on RNA modification, including the associated editing machinery, while offering the reader some perspective on the significance of such modifications in fine-tuning the structure and functions of mature RNA molecules and hence the ability to influence the efficiency and accuracy of genetic expression. Outstanding scientists who are actively working on RNA modification/editing processes have provided up-to-date information on these intriguing cellular processes that have been generated over the course of millions of years in all living organisms. Each review has been written and illustrated for a large audience of readers, not only specialists in the field, but also for advanced students or researchers who want to learn more about recent progress in RNA modification and editing.

Naturally occurring RNA always contains numerous biochemically altered nucleotides. They are formed by enzymatic modification of the primary transcripts during the complex RNA maturation process designated RNA modification. A large number of enzymes catalyzing the formation of these modified nucleosides or converting one canonical base into another at the posttranscriptional level have been studied for many years, but only recently have systematic and comparative studies begun. The functions of individual enzymes and/or the modified/edited nucleosides in RNA, however, have remained largely ignored. This book provides advance information on RNA modification, including the associated editing machinery, while offering the reader some perspective on the significance of such modifications in fine-tuning the structure and functions of mature RNA molecules and hence the ability to influence the efficiency and accuracy of genetic expression. Outstanding scientists who are actively working on RNA modification/editing processes have provided up-to-date information on these intriguing cellular processes that have been generated over the course of millions of years in all living organisms. Each review has been written and illustrated for a large audience of readers, not only specialists in the field, but also for advanced students or researchers who want to learn more about recent progress in RNA modification and editing.

This Comprehensive, current text explores the manifold ways in which living cells respond to genomic injury and alterations, including both spontaneous and environmentally induced DNA damage. With more than 4,000 complete references to primary research literature and over 380 color figures throughout, this book is an important text for all courses in DNA repair and mutagenesis. It will also serve as a major reference for all molecular biologists working in cancer biology, recombination, transcription and gene regulation, DNA replication, environmental studies, and biological evolution.

RNA and DNA Editing assembles a team of leading experts who present the latest discoveries in the field alongside the latest models and methodology. In addition, the authors set forth the many open questions and suggest routes for further investigation. Overall, the book serves as a practical guide for professionals in the field who need to understand the interrelationship of RNA and DNA editing with other chemical and biological processes.

RNA Modification provides a useful examination of the science and its role in biological regulation, the current frontier of life science research, and includes various RNA modications and their role in gene expression. It represents the most up-to-date knowledge and protocols available today. - Dynamic RNA modifications and their roles in biological regulation are the current frontier of life science research - This volume of Methods in Enzymology represents up to date knowledge and protocols

This book reviews a novel and exciting field of cellular and molecular biology called epitranscriptomics, which focuses on changes in an organism’s cells resulting from the posttranscriptional modification of cellular RNA. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a crucial role in these posttranscriptional modifications and also support several cellular processes necessary for maintaining RNA homeostasis. Exploring the mechanisms underlying RNA modifications and RBP function is an emerging area of biomedical research, taking the study of gene regulation a step beyond epigenetics. This book reveals that the RNA molecule is not just an information-carrying molecule with some secondary structures. Accordingly, how RNA is modified, regulated, packaged, and controlled is an important aspect. Leading experts address questions such as where the over 170 distinct posttranscriptional RNA modifications are located on the genome, what percentage of mRNAs and noncoding RNAs these modifications include, and how an RNA modification impacts a person’s biology. In closing, the book reviews the role of RNA modifications and RBPs in a variety of diseases and their pathogenesis. Addressing some of the most exciting challenges in epitranscriptomics, this book provides a valuable and engaging resource for researchers in academia and industry studying the phenomena of RNA modification.

Navigating Non-coding RNA: From Biogenesis to Therapeutic Application provides a concise overview of the field of non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Chapters cover the history of discoveries that have occurred in the area of ncRNA, specific types of ncRNA, housekeeping ncRNAs such as ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, small nuclear RNA and telomerase RNA, regulatory ncRNAs such as microRNA, small interfering RNA, long non-coding RNA and Y RNA. Biogenesis, structure, function, and regulation of each of these are also explored in addition to traditional and cutting-edge methods for the identification, functional characterization and structural characterization of ncRNA. The book also focuses on the different types of epitranscriptomic modifications and their involvement in regulating ncRNA structure, stability and intermolecular interactions in addition to the role of ncRNAs in a range of diseases and potential therapeutic applications. - Covers a wide range of non-coding RNAs, including ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, telomerase RNA, microRNA, small interfering RNA and circular RNA - Features both traditional and novel methodologies for investigating ncRNA, from microarray and conventional chemical probing to CAGE-seq and computational methods - Includes chapters on ncRNAs in a range of diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, cardiovascular conditions and infectious illnesses - Discusses novel therapeutic strategies for targeting ncRNAs, including CRISP/Ca9 applications and RNAi-based strategies - Explores the molecular mechanisms and intermolecular interactions of ncRNA

This volume is a timely and comprehensive description of the many facets of DNA and RNA modification-editing processes and to some extent repair mechanisms. Each chapter offers fundamental principles as well as up to date information on recent advances in the field (up to end 2008). They ended by a shortconclusion and future prospect' section and

Over the past decades, chromatin remodelling has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression and plant defense. This book provides a detailed understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in plants of agronomic importance. The information presented here is significant because it is expected to provide the knowledge needed to develop in the future treatments to manipulate and selectively activate/inhibit proteins and metabolic pathways to counter pathogens, to treat important diseases and to increase crop productivity. New approaches of this kind and the development of new technologies will certainly increase our knowledge of currently known post-translational modifications and facilitate the understanding of their roles in, for example, host-pathogen interactions and crop productivity. Furthermore, we provide important insight on how the plant epigenome changes in response to developmental or environmental stimuli, how chromatin modifications are established and maintained, to which degree they are used throughout the genome, and how chromatin modifications influence each another.