Regulation of Gene Expression by N-methyladenosine in Cancer

m6A is the most abundant mRNA modification and it regulates many aspects of RNA metabolism, including RNA splicing, export, translation, and decay. Numerous recent studies indicate an important role for m6A in regulating gene expression in multiple physiologic processes, such as stress responses, stem cell differentiation, gametogenesis, and T cell homeostasis. Aberrant m6A mRNA methylation, through the altered expression of m6A writer, eraser, or reader proteins, has also been associated with several cancers. m6A has been reported to affect gene expression in cancer cells through many different pathways. In some studies, increased m6A methylation appears to contribute to cancer cell tumorigenicity by enhancing translation of oncogenes or degrading tumor suppressor genes. Other studies observe that m6A helps inhibit the expression of oncogenes, suggesting tumor suppressing roles for m6A methylation. As the most abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has recently emerged as an important regulator of gene expression. m6A modification can be deposited by m6A methyltransferases, removed by m6A demethylases, and recognized by different reader proteins. Numerous lines of evidence have shown that m6A methylation plays critical roles regulating gene expression in development and disease. In this review, we summarize the molecular and cellular function of m6A and highlight some key results which demonstrate the role of m6A in various cancers. Finally, we discuss future directions for research into m6A and its effects in cancer and the potential for targeting RNA modification in cancer treatment. As the most abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has recently emerged as an important regulator of gene expression. m6A modification can be deposited by m6A methyltransferases, removed by m6A demethylases, and recognized by different reader proteins. Numerous lines of evidence have shown that m6A methylation plays critical roles regulating gene expression in development and disease. In this review, we summarize the molecular and cellular function of m6A and highlight some key results which demonstrate the role of m6A in various cancers. Finally, we discuss future directions for research into m6A and its effects in cancer and the potential for targeting RNA modification in cancer treatment.