The key role of RNA N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) methylation in tumor radiotherapy and radiation damage repair / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) is the most abundant epigenetic modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA), which could be catalyzed by m 6A methyltransferase (Writers), recognized by methylation recognition enzymes (Readers), and removed by demethylase (Erasers). RNA splicing, translation, and stability could be modulated by m 6A methylation modification. The m 6A methylation modification is involved in the biological regulation of a variety of important functional genes in cellular activities. Importantly, abnormal m 6A modification affects the occurrence, development, metastasis and recurrence of tumors. Ionizing radiation can affect the level of m 6A and m 6A methylation-related enzymes. Recently, m 6A methylation is reported to regulate the efficacy of tumor radiotherapy by affecting DNA damage and radiosensitivity of tumor cells. In addition, ionizing radiation can also affect the level of m 6A modification in normal cells to regulate the progress of radiation-induced injuries. This review summarizes the research progress on the roles of m 6A methylation in tumor radiosensitivity and radiation-induced injuries, with the aim of providing novel strategies for the development of clinical tumor radiosensitizers and radioprotective agents.