Extra-coding RNAs regulate DNA methylation in the adult brain

(University of Alabama at Birmingham) A special form of RNA called extra-coding RNA, or ecRNA, controls the careful targeting to add or remove methyl groups to chromosomal DNA of the adult neuron. The ecRNAs are fundamental regulators of DNA methylation patterns in the adult brain through interaction with DNA methyltransferase enzymes, are involved in creation of memories, and the ecRNAs may offer a promising future therapeutic avenue to treat neuropsychiatric disease.