Diverse molecular functions of m(6)A mRNA modification in cancer

Abstract

N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A), the most prevalent chemical modification found on eukaryotic mRNA, is associated with almost all stages of mRNA metabolism and influences various human diseases. Recent research has implicated the aberrant regulation of m(6)A mRNA modification in many human cancers. An increasing number of studies have revealed that dysregulation of m(6)A-containing gene expression via the abnormal expression of m(6)A methyltransferases, demethylases, or reader proteins is closely associated with tumorigenicity. Notably, the molecular functions and cellular consequences of m(6)A mRNA modification often show opposite results depending on the degree of m(6)A modification in specific mRNA. In this review, we highlight the current progress on the underlying mechanisms of m(6)A modification in mRNA metabolism, particularly the functions of m(6)A writers, erasers, and readers in the context of tumorigenesis.