CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution

Abstract Nucleotide-containing metabolites, e.g., NAD, can serve as noncanonical initiating nucleotides (NCIN) during transcription, yielding NCIN-capped RNAs (NCIN-RNAs). Current profiling strategies are limited to detecting specific metabolite caps and lack an epitranscriptome-wide approach for qu...

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Main Authors: Yuanbo Liu, Dean Li, Xueting Wang, Kongyan Niu, Jun Bai, Lefeng Qu, Nan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61697-y
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author Yuanbo Liu
Dean Li
Xueting Wang
Kongyan Niu
Jun Bai
Lefeng Qu
Nan Liu
author_facet Yuanbo Liu
Dean Li
Xueting Wang
Kongyan Niu
Jun Bai
Lefeng Qu
Nan Liu
author_sort Yuanbo Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nucleotide-containing metabolites, e.g., NAD, can serve as noncanonical initiating nucleotides (NCIN) during transcription, yielding NCIN-capped RNAs (NCIN-RNAs). Current profiling strategies are limited to detecting specific metabolite caps and lack an epitranscriptome-wide approach for quantifying the ratio between NCIN- and m7G-capped forms. Here, we develop the CompasSeq analytical platform, which integrates experimental and computational frameworks, enabling comprehensive and quantitative assessment of NCIN-RNAs at the transcript resolution. CompasSeq utilizes carefully devised enzymatic reactions to selectively capture NCIN-RNAs. By introducing proper spike-ins, CompasSeq can analyze the stoichiometry of NCIN caps. We further design an orthogonal method, the quantitative exoribonuclease reduction assay, to validate newly identified NCIN-RNAs and their capping ratios. Using CompasSeq, we quantify previously unexplored NCIN capping percentages from mouse liver and illustrate their age-associated dynamics. Moreover, we uncover a dichotomy between RNA expression and NCIN capping in genes impinging on age-related pathways. Our study presents both experimental and computational solutions for in-depth analysis of NCIN-RNAs, paving the road for functional investigations into NCIN-RNAs.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-ff7e0ece7d014f9bbdd3bdbc713578432025-08-20T04:03:07ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111710.1038/s41467-025-61697-yCompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolutionYuanbo Liu0Dean Li1Xueting Wang2Kongyan Niu3Jun Bai4Lefeng Qu5Nan Liu6Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesDepartment of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical UniversityDepartment of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical UniversityInterdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Nucleotide-containing metabolites, e.g., NAD, can serve as noncanonical initiating nucleotides (NCIN) during transcription, yielding NCIN-capped RNAs (NCIN-RNAs). Current profiling strategies are limited to detecting specific metabolite caps and lack an epitranscriptome-wide approach for quantifying the ratio between NCIN- and m7G-capped forms. Here, we develop the CompasSeq analytical platform, which integrates experimental and computational frameworks, enabling comprehensive and quantitative assessment of NCIN-RNAs at the transcript resolution. CompasSeq utilizes carefully devised enzymatic reactions to selectively capture NCIN-RNAs. By introducing proper spike-ins, CompasSeq can analyze the stoichiometry of NCIN caps. We further design an orthogonal method, the quantitative exoribonuclease reduction assay, to validate newly identified NCIN-RNAs and their capping ratios. Using CompasSeq, we quantify previously unexplored NCIN capping percentages from mouse liver and illustrate their age-associated dynamics. Moreover, we uncover a dichotomy between RNA expression and NCIN capping in genes impinging on age-related pathways. Our study presents both experimental and computational solutions for in-depth analysis of NCIN-RNAs, paving the road for functional investigations into NCIN-RNAs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61697-y
spellingShingle Yuanbo Liu
Dean Li
Xueting Wang
Kongyan Niu
Jun Bai
Lefeng Qu
Nan Liu
CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
Nature Communications
title CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
title_full CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
title_fullStr CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
title_full_unstemmed CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
title_short CompasSeq: epitranscriptome-wide percentage assessment of metabolite-capped RNA at the transcript resolution
title_sort compasseq epitranscriptome wide percentage assessment of metabolite capped rna at the transcript resolution
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61697-y
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