Novel insights into the interaction between N6-methyladenosine modification and circular RNA

Tao Xu; Bangshun He; Huiling Sun; Mengqiu Xiong; Junjie Nie; Shukui Wang; Yuqin Pan

doi:10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.007

Novel insights into the interaction between N6-methyladenosine modification and circular RNA

Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2022 Jan 10:27:824-837. doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.007. eCollection 2022 Mar 8.

Authors

Tao Xu¹, Bangshun He², Huiling Sun¹, Mengqiu Xiong¹, Junjie Nie¹, Shukui Wang¹, Yuqin Pan¹

Affiliations

¹ General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
² Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.

Abstract

As the most prevalent type of RNA modification in eukaryotes, N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) can modulate RNA fates such as processing, splicing, maturation, export, stability, translation, and degradation. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) characterized by a covalently closed loop structure, play an essential role in various physiological and pathological processes. Extensive studies have revealed that m⁶A modification is widespread in circRNAs and influences their biogenesis and functions. Intriguingly, circRNAs can affect m⁶A modification by regulating m⁶A regulatory proteins. In this review, we summarize the characteristics and biological functions of m⁶A and circRNAs and focus on recent advances in the interaction of m⁶A modification and circRNAs. In addition, the potential clinical applications of m⁶A modification and circRNAs in diagnosis and therapeutic targets are discussed.

Keywords: N6-methyladenosine; biological functions; circular RNAs; clinical applications; m6A-modified circRNAs.

Publication types

Review