The role m6A RNA methylation is CNS development and glioma pathogenesis

Mol Brain. 2021 Jul 19;14(1):119. doi: 10.1186/s13041-021-00831-5.

Abstract

Epigenetic abnormalities play a crucial role in many tumors, including glioma. RNA methylation occurs as an epigenetic modification similar to DNA methylation and histone modification. m6A methylation is the most common and most intensively studied RNA methylation, which can be found throughout the RNA life cycle and exert biological functions by affecting RNA metabolism. The m6A modification is primarily associated with three types of protease, which are encoded by the writer, eraser and reader genes, respectively. It has been shown that the m6A methylation has close connections with the occurrence and development of many tumors, including glioma. In this study, the concept and the research progress of m6A methylation are reviewed, especially the role of m6A methylation in glioma. Moreover, we will discuss how glioma is paving the way to the development of new therapeutic options based on the inhibition of m6A deposition.

Keywords: ALKBH5; FTO; GBM; Glioma; METTL3; WTAP; m6A methylation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / embryology*
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Models, Biological
  • RNA / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA
  • N-methyladenosine
  • Adenosine