m⁶A modification: a new avenue for anti-cancer therapy

Abstract

To date, over 170 different kinds of chemical modifications on RNAs have been identified, some of which are involved in multiple aspects of RNA fate, ranging from RNA processing, nuclear export, translation, and RNA decay. m⁶A, also known as N⁶-methyladenosine, is a prominent internal RNA modification that is catalyzed primarily by the METTL3-METTL14-WTAP methyltransferase complex in higher eukaryotic mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). In recent years, abnormal m⁶A modification has been linked to the occurrence, development, progression, and prognosis of the majority of cancers. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent m⁶A modification discoveries as well as the critical roles of m⁶A modification in cancer development and progression. We summarize the mechanisms of m⁶A involvement in cancer and list potential cancer therapy inhibitors that target m⁶A regulators such as “writer” METTL3 and “eraser” FTO.

Keywords

m⁶A / RNA modification / METTL3 / FTO / cancer therapy

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2023 The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Higher Education Press.