Regulation of Gene Expression by N6-methyladenosine in Cancer

Jun Liu; Bryan T Harada; Chuan He

doi:10.1016/j.tcb.2019.02.008

Regulation of Gene Expression by N⁶-methyladenosine in Cancer

Trends Cell Biol. 2019 Jun;29(6):487-499. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2019.02.008. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Authors

Jun Liu¹, Bryan T Harada¹, Chuan He²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
² Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address: chuanhe@uchicago.edu.

Abstract

As the most abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells, N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) has recently emerged as an important regulator of gene expression. m⁶A modification can be deposited by m⁶A methyltransferases, removed by m⁶A demethylases, and recognized by different reader proteins. Numerous lines of evidence have shown that m⁶A methylation plays critical roles regulating gene expression in development and disease. In this review, we summarize the molecular and cellular function of m⁶A and highlight some key results which demonstrate the role of m⁶A in various cancers. Finally, we discuss future directions for research into m⁶A and its effects in cancer and the potential for targeting RNA modification in cancer treatment.

Keywords: N(6)-methyladenosine; RNA modification; cancer; gene regulation.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
Adenosine / metabolism
Animals
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
Humans
Neoplasms / genetics*
Neoplasms / metabolism*

Substances

N-methyladenosine
Adenosine

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding