Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)Feb 14, 2019

Discovery of Flavin Mononucleotide as an Artificial Molecule That Removes RNA Methylation Inside Cells

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Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) mediates substantial photochemical demethylation of mA residues in RNA in live cells.

N-Methyladenosine (mA) is a common modification in eukaryotic RNA that influences various cellular pathways.
FTO and ALKBH5 are natural enzymes that remove mA residues from mRNA.
The identification of FMN as an artificial mA demethylase represents a significant advancement.
This discovery provides new insights into the demethylation processes of mA in mRNA.
FMN could serve as a powerful tool for probing RNA biology.

Simplified

N-Methyladenosine (mA) represents a common and highly dynamic modification in eukaryotic RNA that affects various cellular pathways. Natural dioxygenases such as FTO and ALKBH5 are enzymes that demethylate mA residues in mRNA. Herein, the first identification of a small-molecule modulator that functions as an artificial mA demethylase is reported. Flavin mononucleotide (FMN), the metabolite produced by riboflavin kinase, mediates substantial photochemical demethylation of mA residues of RNA in live cells. This study provides a new perspective to the understanding of demethylation of mA residues in mRNA and sheds light on the development of powerful small molecules as RNA demethylases and new probes for use in RNA biology. 6 6 6 6 6 6

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Discovery of Flavin Mononucleotide as an Artificial Molecule That Removes RNA Methylation Inside Cells

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