RNA N6-Methyladenosine in Cancer Metastasis: Roles, Mechanisms, and Applications
Qin Dang, Bo Shao, Quanbo Zhou, Chen Chen, Yaxin Guo, Guixian Wang, Jinbo Liu, Quancheng Kan, Weitang Yuan, Zhenqiang Sun
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a symptom of adverse prognosis, a prime origin of therapy failure, and a lethal challenge for cancer patients. N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A), the most prevailing modification in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of higher eukaryotes, has attracted increasing attention. Growing studies have verified the pivotal roles of m 6 A methylation in controlling mRNAs and ncRNAs in diverse physiological processes. Remarkably, recent findings have showed that aberrant methylation of m 6 A-related RNAs could influence cancer metastasis. In this review, we illuminate how m 6 A modifiers act on mRNAs and ncRNAs and modulate metastasis in several cancers, and put forward the clinical application prospects of m 6 A methylation.