m6A RNA methylation in brain injury and neurodegenerative disease
Jianhui Deng, Xiaohui Chen, Andi Chen, Xiaochun Zheng
Abstract
N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A), the most prevalent post-transcriptional RNA modification throughout the eukaryotic transcriptome, participates in diverse biophysiological processes including cell fates, embryonic development and stress responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that m 6 A modification in neural development and differentiation are highly regulated processes. As RNA m 6 A is crucial to protein translation and various bioprocesses, its modification dysregulation may also be associated with brain injury. This review highlights the biological significance of m 6 A modification in neurodegenerative disease and brain injury, including cerebrovascular disorders, is highlighted. Emphasis is placed on recent findings that elucidate the relevant molecular functional mechanism of m 6 A modification after brain injury and neurodegenerative disease. Finally, a neurobiological basis for further investigation of potential treatments is described.