Roles of N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) in Stem Cell Fate Decisions and Early Embryonic Development in Mammals
Meng Zhang, Yanhui Zhai, Sheng Zhang, Xiangpeng Dai, Ziyi Li
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) is one of the most abundant internal mRNA modifications, and it affects multiple biological processes related to eukaryotic mRNA. The majority of m 6 A sites are located in stop codons and 3′UTR regions of mRNAs. m 6 A regulates RNA metabolism, including alternative splicing (AS), alternative polyadenylation (APA), mRNA export, decay, stabilization, and translation. The m 6 A metabolic pathway is regulated by a series of m 6 A writers, erasers and readers. Recent studies indicate that m 6 A is essential for the regulation of gene expression, tumor formation, stem cell fate, gametogenesis, and animal development. In this systematic review, we summarized the recent advances in newly identified m 6 A effectors and the effects of m 6 A on RNA metabolism. Subsequently, we reviewed the functional roles of RNA m 6 A modification in diverse cellular bioprocesses, such as stem cell fate decisions, cell reprogramming and early embryonic development, and we discussed the potential of m 6 A modification to be applied to regenerative medicine, disease treatment, organ transplantation, and animal reproduction.