Recent advances of m6A methylation modification in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

In recent years, with the development of RNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics methods, the epigenetic modification of RNA based on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has gradually become a research hotspot in the field of bioscience. m6A is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs). m6A methylation modification can dynamically and reversibly regulate RNA transport, localization, translation and degradation through the interaction of methyltransferase, demethylase and reading protein. m6A methylation can regulate the expression of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes at the epigenetic modification level to affect tumor occurrence and metastasis. The morbidity and mortality of esophageal cancer (EC) are still high worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common tissue subtype of EC. This article reviews the related concepts, biological functions and recent advances of m6A methylation in ESCC, and looks forward to the prospect of m6A methylation as a new diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for ESCC.