Abstract

RNA methylation is a reversible post-transcriptional modification to RNA and has a significant impact on numerous biological processes. N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) is known as one of the most common types of eukaryotic mRNA methylation modifications, and exists in a wide variety of organisms, including viruses, yeast, plants, mice, and humans. Widespread and dynamic m6A methylation is identified in distinct developmental stages in the brain, and controls development of neural stem cells and their differentiation into neurons, glial cells such as oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Here we summarize recent advances in our understanding of RNA methylation regulation in brain development, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and its dysregulation in brain tumors. This review will highlight biological roles of RNA methylation in development and function of neurons and glial cells, and provide insights into brain tumor formation, and diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Highlights

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common and abundant methylation modification in RNA molecules present in eukaryotes [1, 2]

  • Knockdown of Alkbh5 inhibits cell growth and decreased DNA replication in glioma stem cells (GSCs), and causes decreased Foxm1 transcription, and extended survival with a lower rate of tumor formation in mice [70] (Figure 3). These results demonstrate that the demethylation activity of AlkB homolog H5 (ALKBH5) is critical to represses GSC-induced tumorigenesis

  • Brain development is based on coordinated spatiotemporal cell fate decisions, and tightly regulated gene expression

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Summary

Frontiers in Oncology

M6A Modifications Play Crucial Roles in Glial Cell Development and Brain Tumorigenesis. RNA methylation is a reversible post-transcriptional modification to RNA and has a significant impact on numerous biological processes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is known as one of the most common types of eukaryotic mRNA methylation modifications, and exists in a wide variety of organisms, including viruses, yeast, plants, mice, and humans. Widespread and dynamic m6A methylation is identified in distinct developmental stages in the brain, and controls development of neural stem cells and their differentiation into neurons, glial cells such as oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. We summarize recent advances in our understanding of RNA methylation regulation in brain development, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and its dysregulation in brain tumors. This review will highlight biological roles of RNA methylation in development and function of neurons and glial cells, and provide insights into brain tumor formation, and diagnostic and treatment strategies

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