RNA N6-adenosine-methyltransferase METTL16 (Mettl16)

RNA N6-methyltransferase that methylates adenosine residues of a subset of RNAs and plays an integral role in S-adenosyl-L- methionine homeostasis by modulating expression of MAT2A transcripts (PubMed:29262316). Able to N6-methylate a subset of mRNAs and U6 small nuclear RNAs (U6 snRNAs) (By similarity).

Compared to this METTL3-METTL14 heterodimer, only able to methylate a limited number of RNAs: requires both a 5'UACAGAGAA-3' nonamer sequence and a specific RNA structure (By similarity). In presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, binds the 3'-UTR region of MAT2A mRNA and specifically N6-methylates the first hairpin of MAT2A mRNA, impairing MAT2A expression (PubMed:29262316).