Role of RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modification in Male Infertility and Genital System Tumors

Shuai Liu; Yongfeng Lao; Yanan Wang; Rongxin Li; Xuefeng Fang; Yunchang Wang; Xiaolong Gao; Zhilong Dong

doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.676364

Role of RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modification in Male Infertility and Genital System Tumors

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 May 19:9:676364. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676364. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Shuai Liu^{1

2}, Yongfeng Lao^{1

2}, Yanan Wang^{1

2}, Rongxin Li^{1

2}, Xuefeng Fang³, Yunchang Wang^{4

5}, Xiaolong Gao³, Zhilong Dong^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.
² Gansu Nephro-Urological Clinical Center, Institute of Urology, Department of Urology, Key Laboratory of Urological Disease of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.
³ Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Jinchang, Jinchang, China.
⁴ Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
⁵ Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Epigenetic alterations, particularly RNA methylation, play a crucial role in many types of disease development and progression. Among them, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common epigenetic RNA modification, and its important roles are not only related to the occurrence, progression, and aggressiveness of tumors but also affect the progression of many non-tumor diseases. The biological effects of RNA m6A modification are dynamically and reversibly regulated by methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and m6A binding proteins (readers). This review summarized the current finding of the RNA m6A modification regulators in male infertility and genital system tumors and discussed the role and potential clinical application of the RNA m6A modification in spermatogenesis and male genital system tumors.

Keywords: N6-methyladenosine; RNA methylation; genital system tumors; male fertility; spermatogenesis.

Publication types

Review