Novel insights on m6A RNA methylation in tumorigenesis: a double-edged sword
Open Access
- 21 July 2018
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Molecular Cancer
- Vol. 17 (1), 1-10
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-018-0847-4
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent modification of mammalian RNA, has received increasing attention. Although m6A has been shown to be associated with biological activities, such as spermatogenesis modulation, cell spermatogenesis and pluripotency, Drosophila sex determination, and the control of T cell homeostasis and response to heat shock, little is known about its roles in cancer biology and cancer stem cells. Recent articles have noted that some genes have abnormal m6A expression after tumorigenesis, including genes ABS2, RARA, MYB, MYC, ADAM19 and FOX1. Abnormal changes in the m6A levels of these genes are closely related to tumour occurrence and development. In this review, we summarized the ‘dual edge weapon’ role of RNA methylation in the tumorigenesis. We discussed RNA methylation could lead to not only tumour progression but also tumour suppression. Moreover, we clarified that the abnormal changes in the m6A enrichment of specific loci contribute to tumour occurrence and development, thereby representing a novel anti-cancer strategy by restoration to balanced RNA methylation in tumour cells.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (81602366, 81402258, 81570884)
- Scientific Research Program of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (201402014)
- the ShuGuang Project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and Shanghai Education Development Foundation (14SG18)
- The Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai (17DZ2260100)
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