Potential applications of N6 -methyladenosine modification in the prognosis and treatment of cancers via modulating apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis

Yuan Zhi; Shanshan Zhang; Moxin Zi; Yian Wang; Yuhang Liu; Mi Zhang; Lei Shi; Qijia Yan; Zhaoyang Zeng; Wei Xiong; Keqian Zhi; Zhaojian Gong

doi:10.1002/wrna.1719

Potential applications of N⁶ -methyladenosine modification in the prognosis and treatment of cancers via modulating apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis

Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA. 2022 Sep;13(5):e1719. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1719. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Authors

Yuan Zhi^{1

2}, Shanshan Zhang³, Moxin Zi^{1

2}, Yian Wang², Yuhang Liu², Mi Zhang^{1

2}, Lei Shi¹, Qijia Yan³, Zhaoyang Zeng^{4

5}, Wei Xiong^{4

5}, Keqian Zhi⁶, Zhaojian Gong¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
² Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
³ Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁴ NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁵ Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁶ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.

PMID: 35114735
DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1719

Abstract

N⁶ -methyladenosine (m⁶ A) is one of the most abundant modifications determining the fate of RNA. Currently, m⁶ A modification is tightly connected with tumorigenesis and presents novel promise in clinical applications. Regulated cell death (RCD) is a programmed mechanism that plays a complicated role in malignant transition. Regarding the main forms of RCD, aberrant levels of m⁶ A modification have been detected during the progression of apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in several diseases. However, few reviews have elucidated the correlation between m⁶ A-modified RCD and carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the regulators of m⁶ A methylation and their functions in carcinogenesis through an overview of m⁶ A-modified RCD. Additionally, we assume the potential role of m⁶ A modification regulators as novel biomarkers for chemotherapies and precision medicine. Furthermore, we review the controversies and conflicts in m⁶ A explorations and predict future orientations of m⁶ A-modified RCD for clinical applications. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs.

Keywords: autophagy; carcinogenesis; ferroptosis; m6A modification; necroptosis; regulated cell death.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Apoptosis
Autophagy
Carcinogenesis / genetics
Ferroptosis* / genetics
Humans
Methylation
Neoplasms* / genetics
Neoplasms* / metabolism
Neoplasms* / therapy