Detection of N 6 ‑methyladenosine modification residues (Review)

Abstract

Among a number of mRNA modifications, N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification is the most common type in eukaryotes and nuclear-replicating viruses. m 6 A has a significant role in numerous cancer types, including leukemia, brain tumors, liver cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. Although m 6 A methyltransferases are essential during RNA modifications, the biological functions of m 6 A and the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, predominantly due to the limited detection methods for m 6 A. In the present review, the currently available m 6 A detection methods and the respective scope of their applications are presented to facilitate the further investigation of the roles of m 6 A in biological process.