RNA modifications shed new light on DNA's older brother

Epigenetics, which literally means ‘on top of genetics’, is a term that describes factors that influence gene expression and are mitotically heritable, but potentially reversible. Recently, N6methyladenosine (m6A) has been identified as a reversible RNA modification that is widespread in mRNA. This is just one of hundreds of modifications to RNA. These exciting findings led to the birth of ‘epitranscriptomics’- the study of reversible RNA modifications. We discuss specific examples of how epigenetic and epitranscriptomic, mechanisms interact to collectively modify genomic output and highlight how these two intertwined forms of gene regulation contribute to homeostasis and stress adaptation.