The Role of m6A in Osteoporosis and the Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease in which bone mass decreases, leading to an increased risk of bone fragility and fracture. The occurrence of osteoporosis is believed to be related to the disruption of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and adipocytes. N6-adenylate methylation (m6A) modification is the most common type of chemical RNA modification and refers to a methylation modification formed by the nitrogen atom at position 6 of adenine (A), which is catalyzed by a methyltransferase. The main roles of m6A are the post-transcriptional level regulation of the stability, localization, transportation, splicing, and translation of RNA; these are key elements of various biological activities, including osteoporosis and the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and adipocytes. The main focus of this review is the role of m6A in these two biological processes.

Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; adenine; bone fragility; methyltransferase; osteoporosis; splicing.