Novel insights into the interaction between N6-methyladenosine modification and circular RNA

Abstract

As the most prevalent type of RNA modification in eukaryotes, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) can modulate RNA fates such as processing, splicing, maturation, export, stability, translation, and degradation. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) characterized by a covalently closed loop structure, play an essential role in various physiological and pathological processes. Extensive studies have revealed that m6A modification is widespread in circRNAs and influences their biogenesis and functions. Intriguingly, circRNAs can affect m6A modification by regulating m6A regulatory proteins. In this review, we summarize the characteristics and biological functions of m6A and circRNAs and focus on recent advances in the interaction of m6A modification and circRNAs. In addition, the potential clinical applications of m6A modification and circRNAs in diagnosis and therapeutic targets are discussed.

Keywords

• N6-methyladenosine
• circular RNAs
• m6A-modified circRNAs
• biological functions
• clinical applications