Title:N6-methyladenine RNA Modification (m6A): An Emerging Regulator of Metabolic Diseases
VOLUME: 21
Author(s):Hui Zhong, Hui-Fang Tang and Kai Yin *
Affiliation:Research Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Heng Yang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Functional Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province
Keywords:N6-adenine methylation, metabolic diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases
Abstract:N6-methyladenine RNA modification (m6A) is a RNA methylation modification catalyzed by methyltransferase at the 6th position nitrogen atom of adenine (A), which is the most common chemical modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA). Recently, m6A has been found to play an important role in the dynamic regulation of RNA, which is crucial for some physiological and pathophysiological processes such as adipogenesis, cell differentiation, and the immune/inflammatory response. Metabolic diseases are a series of chronic inflammatory disorders caused by metabolic dysfunction of proteins, glucose, and lipids. Emerging studies have shown that m6A plays an important role in the process of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) via regulation of glucose/lipid metabolism and the immune/inflammatory response. In this review, we will summarize the role of m6A in metabolic diseases, which may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.
