Effects of m6A modifications on signaling pathways in human cancer (Review)

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prev- alent post-transcriptional RNA modifications. The enzymes involved in the regulation of m6A include methyltransferase (writers), demethylase (erasers) and m6A recognition proteins (readers). Accumulating studies have demonstrated that m6A modifications have a distinct effect on various biological processes, including tumorigenesis, cell differentiation, embryonic development and neurogenic diseases, while our knowledge of the specific mechanism underlying m6A methylation in various cancer types is still limited. Various signaling pathways have an effect on tumorigenesis, inva- sion and apoptosis of malignant tumors. The present review summarizes the recent progress in research regarding the role of m6A in human cancer and discusses the influence of m6A on classic signaling pathways in malignant tumors.