m6A mRNA methylation: A pleiotropic regulator of cancer.

In recent days, RNA modifications are gaining the interest of biologist worldwide. Till date, a total of 171 RNA modifications has been reported, and the number may increase with advancing technologies. The mRNA undergoes modifications like m5M, hm5C, m1A, m6A and pseudouridine, collectively called as epitranscriptomic alterations, each of them has their functional significance. m6A modification is the most common one which occurs at the motif of RRm6AACH in mRNA. The altered profiles of these epitranscriptomic changes are reported in multiple cancers. The present review discusses the dynamic nature of functional enzymes called methyltransferase (writer), demethylase (erasers) and m6A binding proteins (readers) and importance of the balance between these proteins for the homeostasis of our body functions like metabolism, circadian rhythm, immune response, viral replications, embryogenesis and cancer development. Nevertheless, the main focus has been on cancer development and progression. The understanding of such differential modifications are at infancy and may provide bring about a paradigm shift in our understanding of cancer for management and treatment.