Emerging role of m6A modification in osteogenesis of stem cells

The differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts is a key link in the treatment of bone defects and other orthopedic diseases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, an important post-transcriptional modification, is a methylation that occurs at the N6 site of RNA adenylate. The modification plays a regulatory role in the growth and development of biological individuals, the directional differentiation of stem cells and the occurrence of diseases. It is involved in various processes of the fate decision of stem cells. And it regulates the development and constant renewal of bone and keeps bone homeostasis by controlling and maintaining the balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Meanwhile, it also affects the progress of orthopedic-associated diseases such as degenerative osteoporosis and bone tumor. In this review, we mainly summarize the new findings of three key molecules including Writers, Erasers and Readers which regulate m6A modification, and the emerging role of m6A modification in determining the fate and directed differentiation potential of stem cells, especially highlight the regulatory mechanism of osteogenic differentiation, the balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis and the occurrence and development of bone-related diseases. It may provide some important ideas about finding new strategies to recover from bone defect and degenerative bone disease.