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m6A-dependent microRNA binding to chromatin-associated RNA for transcriptional activation

Zhong, Y.; Zheng, L.; Li, J.; Liu, C.; Wei, J.; Ye, C.; Dou, X.; Liu, B.; Barbosa, E.; Yang, F.; Pitroda, S.; Chen, M.; Weichselbaum, R.; He, C.

2026-02-03 molecular biology
10.64898/2026.02.02.703428 bioRxiv
Show abstract

For decades, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been canonically viewed as post-transcriptional repressors. We discovered extensive binding of microRNAs to chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs) and uncovered an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent transcriptional activation mechanism of microRNAs. We show that m6A-binding proteins FXR1/2 anchor AGO1/2 at m6A-marked caRNAs, where AAGUGC-seed microRNAs function as guide RNAs to direct AGO positioning. This dual anchoring stabilizes the AGO-microRNA/FXR-m6A complex at specific loci, which in turn recruits the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler SMARCA4 (BRG1) to promote local chromatin opening and TET1 for DNA demethylation, respectively. Together, these coordinated activities establish a transcriptionally permissive chromatin environment, enhancing accessibility and transcription across hundreds of genes in diverse cell types. Beyond the AAGUGC-seed family, additional microRNAs and siRNAs also enhance transcription, suggesting that caRNA binding and transcriptional activation may represent a broader property of small RNAs.

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