Understanding the roles of N6-methyladenosine writers, readers and erasers in breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is believed to be driven by epigenetic regulation of genes implicated in cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Recently, aberrant N6-methyladenosine (m6A) decorations turned up as crucial epigenetic regulator for malignant breast cancer, which may serve as new targets for breast cancer treatment. Here we briefly outline the functions of m6A and its regulatory proteins, including m6A “writers,” “readers,” and “erasers” on RNA life fate, recapitulate the latest breakthroughs in understanding m6A modification and its regulatory proteins, and the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to the carcinogenesis and the progression of breast cancer, so as to provide potential epigenetic targets for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in breast cancer.

Keywords

• m6A modification
• Epigenetics
• Methyltransferase
• Demethylase
• m6A reader
• Breast cancer