Emerging Roles of N6-Methyladenosine Modification in Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant modification in messenger RNAs (mRNAs), is deposited by methyltransferases (“writers”) Mettl3 and Mettl14 and erased by demethylases (“erasers”) Fto and Alkbh5. m6A can be recognized by m6A-binding proteins (“readers”), such as Yth domain family proteins (Ythdfs) and Yth domain-containing protein 1 (Ythdc1). Previous studies have indicated that m6A plays an essential function in various fundamental biological processes, including neurogenesis and neuronal development. Dysregulated m6A modification contributes to neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the roles of m6A machinery, including writers, erasers, and readers, in regulating gene expression and the function of m6A in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. We also discuss the perspectives for studying m6A methylation.

Keywords

• N6-methyladenosine
• Mettl3
• Mettl14
• Fto
• Ythdf1
• neurodevelopment