N6-Methyladenosine: A Potential Breakthrough for Human Cancer

Among more than 100 types of identified RNA modification, N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification is the predominant mRNA modification, which regulates RNA splicing, translocation, stability, and translation. m(6)A modification plays critical roles in the growth, differentiation, and metabolism of cells. As a dynamic and reversible modification, m(6)A is catalyzed by "writers" (RNA methyltransferases), removed by "erasers" (demethylases), and interacts with "readers" (m(6)A-binding proteins). With more advanced technology applied to research, the molecular mechanisms of RNA methyltransferase, demethylase, and m(6)A-binding protein have been revealed. An increasing number of studies have implicated the correlation between m(6)A modification and human cancers. In this review, we summarize that the occurrence and development of various human cancers are associated with aberrant m(6)A modification. We also discuss the progress in research related to m(6)A modification, providing novel therapeutic insight and potential breakthrough in anticancer therapy.