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Review
. 2020 Sep 17;39(1):192.
doi: 10.1186/s13046-020-01706-8.

m6A modification in RNA: biogenesis, functions and roles in gliomas

Yuhao Zhang  1 , Xiuchao Geng  2 , Qiang Li  3 , Jianglong Xu  1 , Yanli Tan  4 , Menglin Xiao  1 , Jia Song  5 , Fulin Liu  6 , Chuan Fang  7 , Hong Wang  8   9   10
Affiliations
Review

m6A modification in RNA: biogenesis, functions and roles in gliomas

Yuhao Zhang et al. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. .

Abstract

The chemical modification of RNA is a newly discovered epigenetic regulation mechanism in cells and plays a crucial role in a variety of biological processes. N6-methyladenine (m6A) mRNA modification is the most abundant form of posttranscriptional RNA modification in eukaryotes. Through the development of m6A RNA sequencing, the relevant molecular mechanism of m6A modification has gradually been revealed. It has been found that the effect of m6A modification on RNA metabolism involves processing, nuclear export, translation and even decay. As the most common malignant tumour of the central nervous system, gliomas (especially glioblastoma) have a very poor prognosis, and treatment efficacy is not ideal even with the application of high-intensity treatment measures of surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy. Exploring the origin and development mechanisms of tumour cells from the perspective of tumour biogenesis has always been a hotspot in the field of glioma research. Emerging evidence suggests that m6A modification can play a key role in gliomas through a variety of mechanisms, providing more possibilities for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of gliomas. The aim of the present review is to focus on the research progress regarding the association between m6A modification and gliomas. And to provide a theoretical basis according to the currently available literature for further exploring this association. This review may provide new insights for the molecular mechanism, early diagnosis, histologic grading, targeted therapy and prognostic evaluation of gliomas.

Keywords: m6A modification, RNA, Central nervous system, Glioma, Glioblastoma, GBM, Tumourigenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The molecular mechanism of RNA m6A modification. m6A is installed by “Writers” (METTL3/14/16, WTAP, KIAA1429, RBM15/15B and ZC3H13), removed by “Erasers” (FTO, ALKBH3 and ALKBH5), and recognized by “Readers” (YTHDC1/2, YTHDF1/2/3, IGF2BPs, HNRNPA2/B1 and eIF3)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The functions of RNA m6A modification related proteins. “Writers”, “Erasers” and “Readers” relay on some important factors install, remove and recognize m6A modification and participate in a variety of steps in RNA metabolism, including splicing, export, translation, degradation, decay and so on
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The potential roles of RNA m6A modification in glioma progression. They are reflected in the regulation of tumor-associated factors. m6A promotes glioma progression by enhancing oncogene expression and inhibiting tumor suppressor gene expression. m6A hampers glioma progression by inhibiting oncogene expression and enhancing tumor suppressor gene expression
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