A dynamic reversible RNA N6‐methyladenosine modification: current status and perspectives

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 234; no. 6; pp. 7948 - 7956
• Main Authors: Bi, Zhen, Liu, Youhua, Zhao, Yuanling, Yao, Yongxi, Wu, Ruifan, Liu, Qing, Wang, Yizhen, Wang, Xinxia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2019
• Subjects: Cancer; demethylases; Epigenetics; Lipid metabolism; Lipids; m6A; Metabolism; methyltransferases; Molecular modelling; mRNA; mRNA methylation; N6-methyladenosine; Proteins; Readers; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA modification
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28014

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), as the most abundant RNA epigenetic modifications, has been shown to play critical roles in various biological functions. Research about enzymes that can catalyze and remove m6A have revealed its comprehensive roles in messenger RNA (mRNA) metabolism and other physiological processes. The “readers” including YTH domain‐containing proteins, hnRNPC, hnRNPG, hnRNPA2B1, IGF2BP1, IGF2BP2, and IGF2BP3, which can affect the fates of mRNA in an m6A‐dependent manner. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the research of the m6A modifications, especially about the latest functions of its writers, erasers, readers in RNA metabolism, cancer, and lipid metabolism. In the end, we provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of m6A modifications. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the research of the m6A modifications, especially about the latest functions of its writers, erasers, readers in RNA metabolism, cancer, and lipid metabolism. In the end, we provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of m6A modifications.