The Potential Role of m6A RNA Methylation in the Aging Process and Aging-Associated Diseases
Jin Sun, Bokai Cheng, Yongkang Su, Man Li, Shouyuan Ma, Yan Zhang, Anhang Zhang, Shuang Cai, Qiligeer Bao, Shuxia Wang, Ping Zhu
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) is the most common and conserved internal eukaryotic mRNA modification. m 6 A modification is a dynamic and reversible post-transcriptional regulatory modification, initiated by methylase and removed by RNA demethylase. m 6 A-binding proteins recognise the m 6 A modification to regulate gene expression. Recent studies have shown that altered m 6 A levels and abnormal regulator expression are crucial in the ageing process and the occurrence of age-related diseases. In this review, we summarise some key findings in the field of m 6 A modification in the ageing process and age-related diseases, including cell senescence, autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We focused on the biological function and potential molecular mechanisms of m 6 A RNA methylation in ageing and age-related disease progression. We believe that m 6 A modification may provide a new target for anti-ageing therapies.