N6-methyladenosine as a Novel Regulator of Brain Physiology and Diseases.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is identified as the most widespread and abundant internal chemical modification of RNA in eukaryotes. A series of proteins including methyltransferases (also known as "writers"), demethylases (also known as "erasers"), and m6A-binding proteins (also known as "readers") were indicated to participate in the m6A methylation. m6A has emerged as a regulator of various cellular, developmental, and disease processes. Notably, there is highest abundance of m6A methylation in brain than in other organs, which indicates that m6A plays an essential role in brain functions. Here, we describe the general features, mechanisms, and functions of m6A in the brain, and discuss the emerging roles of m6A in brain physiology and diseases.