N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation: From regulatory mechanisms to potential clinical applications
Peipei Li, Yuntao Wang, Yiwen Sun, Sanjie Jiang, Jingjing Li
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics has emerged as another level of epigenetic regulation similar to DNA and histone modifications. N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) is one of the most prevalent and abundant posttranscriptional modifications, widely distributed in many biological species. The level of N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methylation is dynamically and reversibly regulated by distinct effectors including methyltransferases, demethylases, histone modification and metabolites. In addition, N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methylation is involved in multiple RNA metabolism pathways, such as splicing, localization, translation efficiency, stability and degradation, ultimately affecting various pathological processes, especially the oncogenic and tumor-suppressing activities. Recent studies also reveal that N 6 -methyladenosine modification exerts the function in immune cells and tumor immunity. In this review, we mainly focus on the regulatory mechanisms of N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methylation, the techniques for detecting N 6 -methyladenosine methylation, the role of N 6 -methyladenosine modification in cancer and other diseases, and the potential clinical applications.