N6methyladenine

N6methyladenine, often abbreviated as m6A, is a prominent epigenetic modification found in RNA molecules. It is formed by the methylation of the adenine base at the N6 position. This modification is the most abundant and widespread internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA), but it also occurs in other RNA types, including non-coding RNAs and viral RNAs.

The addition and removal of m6A marks are dynamically regulated by specific enzymes. Methyltransferases, known as "writers," catalyze the formation of m6A, while demethylases, called "erasers," remove it. Various "reader" proteins are also involved, recognizing and binding to m6A sites, thereby influencing downstream cellular processes.

m6A modification plays a crucial role in a multitude of RNA metabolism events. These include regulating RNA splicing, nuclear export, translation efficiency, and RNA stability. Consequently, m6A has been implicated in diverse biological processes such as embryonic development, cell differentiation, stress response, and the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer. The precise functions and regulatory mechanisms of m6A are still an active area of research, with new insights emerging regularly.