m6Acontaining

m6A-containing refers to RNA molecules that carry an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. m6A is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA and many long noncoding RNAs. It tends to be enriched around stop codons, in 3' untranslated regions, and within exons, and is frequently found within the DRACH sequence motif (D = A/G/U, R = A/G, H = A/C/U).

Biogenesis and readout of m6A involve a set of proteins often described as writers, erasers, and readers. The methyltransferase complex, led by METTL3 and METTL14 with cofactors such as WTAP, installs m6A co-transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally. Demethylases FTO and ALKBH5 can remove the modification. Reader proteins, including YTHDF1-3, YTHDC1, and IGF2BP family members, recognize m6A and influence RNA fate by promoting or inhibiting processes such as splicing, nuclear export, translation, and decay.

Functional roles of m6A-containing transcripts are diverse and dynamic. m6A regulation affects mRNA stability and translation efficiency, modulates alternative splicing and RNA export, and participates in developmental timing, stem cell differentiation, and responses to stress. The effect of m6A often depends on the particular reader protein engaged, which can direct either stabilization or enhanced translation of the modified RNA.

Detection and research on m6A-containing transcripts rely on methods such as MeRIP-seq/m6A-seq, miCLIP, and m6A-CLIP, with emerging approaches including nanopore direct RNA sequencing. These techniques map m6A sites, though resolution and quantification can vary, and not all detected sites are functionally important.

Biological and clinical significance of m6A-containing RNAs includes roles in development, metabolism, cancer, and neurological disorders. Because m6A dynamics shape RNA fate, the study of m6A-containing transcripts remains central to understanding gene expression regulation and exploring potential therapeutic targets.