N6-methyladenosine as a biological and clinical determinant in colorectal cancer: progression and future direction

Jinming Li; Lei Liang; Yongzhi Yang; Xinxiang Li; Yanlei Ma

doi:10.7150/thno.52366

N⁶-methyladenosine as a biological and clinical determinant in colorectal cancer: progression and future direction

Theranostics. 2021 Jan 1;11(6):2581-2593. doi: 10.7150/thno.52366. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jinming Li^{1

2}, Lei Liang^{1

2}, Yongzhi Yang^{1

2}, Xinxiang Li^{1

2}, Yanlei Ma^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and one of the leading causes of cancer death. Recent studies have provided evidence that N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), the most abundant RNA modifications in eukaryote, performs many functions in RNA metabolism including translation, splicing, storage, trafficking and degradation. Aberrant regulation of m⁶A modification in mRNAs and noncoding RNAs found in CRC tissues is crucial for cancer formation, progression, invasion and metastasis. Further, m⁶A regulators and m⁶A-related RNAs may become promising biomarkers, prognosis predictors as well as therapeutic targets. Here, we review the biological and clinical roles of m⁶A modification in CRC, and discuss the potential of m⁶A in clinical translation.

Keywords: RNA modification; cancer progression; cancer treatment; colorectal cancer; m6A.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
Adenosine / genetics
Animals
Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
Disease Progression
Humans
RNA, Messenger / genetics
RNA, Untranslated / genetics

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Untranslated
N-methyladenosine
Adenosine