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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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VIRMA
vir like m6A methyltransferase associated
Chromosome 8 · 8q22.1
NCBI Gene: 25962Ensembl: ENSG00000164944.13HGNC: HGNC:24500UniProt: Q69YN4
113PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
RNA N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase complexRNA bindingprotein bindingmRNA processingAbnormality of the skeletal systemobesitycleft palateorofacial cleft
✦AI Summary

VIRMA (vir like m6A methyltransferase associated) functions as a critical component and the largest structural unit of the m6A methyltransferase complex 1, mediating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of cellular RNAs. As a "writer" in the m6A regulatory system, VIRMA recruits catalytic components METTL3 and METTL14 to guide m6A methylation at specific sites in the 3'-UTR near stop codons, thereby regulating mRNA splicing, processing, and polyadenylation 2. VIRMA is essential for active ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis adaptation; its depletion impairs ribosomal RNA stability and triggers p53-dependent stress responses 3. Dysregulation of VIRMA promotes multiple cancer types through m6A-dependent mechanisms. VIRMA is upregulated in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, where elevated expression correlates with poor survival 14. In breast cancer, VIRMA interacts with m6A reader IGF2BP3 to stabilize HAS2 mRNA, promoting cell proliferation and migration 4. In cholangiocarcinoma, VIRMA stabilizes TMED2 and PARD3B mRNAs through m6A modification, activating oncogenic Akt/GSK/β-catenin and MEK/ERK/Slug pathways 5. These mechanisms underscore VIRMA's dual role in normal development and cancer pathogenesis, suggesting therapeutic potential for targeting this m6A modification pathway.

Sources cited
1
VIRMA is a probable component of the m6A methyltransferase complex alongside METTL3, METTL14, and WTAP
PMID: 29686311
2
VIRMA is the largest methyltransferase component with oncogenic roles in multiple cancer types and association with poor survival
PMID: 33731118
3
VIRMA-mediated m6A modification is essential for ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis; VIRMA depletion causes forebrain developmental defects and triggers p53-dependent stress responses
PMID: 40577453
4
VIRMA is upregulated in breast cancer tissues, correlates with poor survival, and promotes cancer progression by stabilizing HAS2 mRNA through interaction with IGF2BP3
PMID: 37705505
5
VIRMA promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression by stabilizing TMED2 and PARD3B mRNAs through m6A modification, activating oncogenic signaling pathways
PMID: 37391589
Disease Associationsⓘ20
Abnormality of the skeletal systemOpen Targets
0.46Moderate
obesityOpen Targets
0.37Weak
cleft palateOpen Targets
0.30Weak
orofacial cleftOpen Targets
0.30Weak
cleft lipOpen Targets
0.30Weak
smoking initiationOpen Targets
0.30Weak
Back painOpen Targets
0.28Weak
preeclampsiaOpen Targets
0.27Weak
hepatocellular carcinomaOpen Targets
0.11Weak
colorectal carcinomaOpen Targets
0.11Weak
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.11Weak
non-small cell lung carcinomaOpen Targets
0.11Weak
lung adenocarcinomaOpen Targets
0.11Weak
breast cancerOpen Targets
0.10Weak
osteosarcomaOpen Targets
0.10Weak
protozoa infectious diseaseOpen Targets
0.10Weak
cancerOpen Targets
0.10Suggestive
oral squamous cell carcinomaOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
gastric cancerOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
colorectal cancerOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
BCLAF1Protein interaction100%CPSF6Protein interaction97%METTL3Protein interaction95%ZCCHC4Protein interaction95%METTL14Protein interaction93%METTL5Protein interaction92%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Bone Marrow
100%
Brain
66%
Heart
57%
Ovary
55%
Lung
44%
Liver
37%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
VIRMABCLAF1CPSF6METTL3ZCCHC4METTL14METTL5
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB7VF2 · 3.00 Å · EM
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.44Moderately Constrained
pLIⓘ
1.00Intolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.34 [0.27–0.44]
RankingsWhere VIRMA stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #4,212of 20,598
    Most Researched113 · top quartile
  • #2,396of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.44 · top quartile
Genes detectedVIRMA
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
The role of m6A modification in the biological functions and diseases.
PMID: 33611339
Signal Transduct Target Ther · 2021
1.00
2
The potential role of RNA N6-methyladenosine in Cancer progression.
PMID: 32398132
Mol Cancer · 2020
0.90
3
Role of m6A methyltransferase component VIRMA in multiple human cancers (Review).
PMID: 33731118
Cancer Cell Int · 2021
0.80
4
Hidden codes in mRNA: Control of gene expression by m
PMID: 35714585
Mol Cell · 2022
0.70
5
RNA N
PMID: 29686311
Cell Res · 2018
0.60