甲基转移酶样8 (methyltransferase-like 8,METTL8)是甲基转移酶样蛋白(methyltransferase-like protein,METTL)家族中的成员,通常以S-腺苷甲硫氨酸(S-adenosylmethionine, SAM)为甲基供体,催化底物分子的甲基化。3-甲基胞嘧啶核苷(3-methylcytidine,m3C)是RNA胞嘧啶碱基上的第3位氮原子发生甲基化,对维持RNA 二级结构、稳定性和功能具有广泛的影响。目前发现,只有METTL8能同时调控信使核糖核酸(messenger ribonucleic acid,mRNA)与转运核糖核酸(transfer ribonucleic acid,tRNA)m3C修饰。此外,METTL8还与胚胎干细胞分化、骨骼肌基因调节、肿瘤增殖等密切相关。鉴于METTL8的重要作用,本文重点综述了METTL8的结构组成、功能特点以及相关疾病的研究进展,旨在为进一步研究其生物学功能提供线索。

Methyltransferase-like 8 (METTL8) is a member of the methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) family, which typically utilizes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a substrate to catalyze methylation. 3-methylcytidine (m3C) is a type of methylation that occurs at the third nitrogen atom of the cytosine base in RNA, playing a wide-ranging role in maintaining RNA secondary structure, stability, and function. METTL8 is currently the only enzyme known to regulate m3C modification in both messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA). Additionally, METTL8 is closely associated with processes such as embryonic stem cell differentiation, skeletal muscle gene regulation, and tumor proliferation. Given the significant role of METTL8, this article focuses on the structural composition, functional characteristics, and research progress associated with METTL8, aiming to provide insights for further investigation into its biological functions.