Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in migration and invasion of cancer cell and the development of tissue fibrosis diseases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most extensive type of RNA methylation and has aroused extensive interest in recent years. However, m6A methylation seems to play different roles in different cancer cells and tissue fibrotic diseases. To determine the function of m6A methylation in EMT, we summarized the molecular mechanism of EMT and recent progress in the regulation of EMT by m6A methylation, suggesting that m6A methylation targets EMT program by affecting the expression of transcription factors, EMT markers, long noncoding RNA and EMT-associated signaling pathways, which provides more possibilities for early diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: Epithelial–mesenchymal transition; Mechanism; RNA modification; m6A methylation.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.