The roles of RNA N6-methyladenosine in esophageal cancer

Chuan Teng; Fanhua Kong; Jinggang Mo; Weidong Lin; Chong Jin; Kunpeng Wang; Ying Wang

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11430

The roles of RNA N⁶-methyladenosine in esophageal cancer

Heliyon. 2022 Nov 5;8(11):e11430. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11430. eCollection 2022 Nov.

Authors

Chuan Teng¹, Fanhua Kong², Jinggang Mo¹, Weidong Lin¹, Chong Jin¹, Kunpeng Wang¹, Ying Wang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, China.
² Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-based Medical Materials, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
³ Department of Anesthesia Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumour with a high degree of malignancy and high mortality. Its pathogenesis and treatment strategy remain unclear. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is important for various biological functions in RNA modification and is currently being investigated extensively. It plays an essential role in RNA modification. m⁶A modification is a dynamic process that reversibly regulates the target RNA through its regulatory factors and plays an important role in several diseases, especially cancer. However, the role of m⁶A in esophageal cancer remains elusive. RNA modification and splicing are regulated by RNA methylation regulators called 'writers' (methyltransferases), 'erasers' (demethylases) and 'readers' (modified RNA-binding proteins). These regulatory factors recognise and bind to RNA methylation sites, regulate biological functions such as RNA splicing and translation and influence the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of tumours. Considering the importance of m⁶A modification, we reviewed the regulatory mechanisms, biological functions and therapeutic prospects of m⁶A RNA methylation regulators in esophageal cancer.

Keywords: Epigenetics; Esophageal cancer; Immunotherapy; N6-methyladenosine; RNA methylation; m6A.

Publication types

Review