m6A methylation modification of RNA plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide and ranks second in terms of mortality. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent internal covalent modification in eukaryotic mRNA and is involved in various stages of RNA processing, including splicing, degradation, and export, playing a crucial role in the onset and progression of many diseases. The m6A modification is co-regulated by methyltransferases, demethylases, and methyl-binding proteins, and it has become a hot topic in cancer research. Based on a systematic review of existing studies on the role of m6A modification in colorectal cancer, this article further expands the research horizon in this field and effectively overcomes the limitations of existing reviews that only focus on discussing a single or a class of methylation regulators.