GlycoRNA research: from unknown unknowns to known unknowns

Abstract

Recent discoveries have revealed the existence of glycosylated RNAs (glycoRNA), in which glycans are covalently linked to small non‑coding RNAs and are predominantly localized to the cell surface. Since the initial discovery in 2021, glycoRNA has become an emerging field: 4 years in glycoRNA research have produced advances in labeling, imaging, and mass spectrometry that now highlight the role of glycoRNA in cell communication, immune regulation, and disease progression. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of glycoRNA biogenesis, detection techniques, and biological functions, and discuss how these findings reshape the future interface between glycobiology and RNA biology.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

glycoRNA / RNA modification / mass spectrometry

References

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