N6-methyladenosine Methylation of Viral Genes

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification is the most pervasive type of RNA epigenetic modification in eukaryotes and the most common type of posttranscriptional modification of mRNA. m⁶A modification is a dynamic reversible process that can affect gene expression and play a crucial role in mRNA metabolism and multiple biological processes, ranging from RNA processing, nuclear export and RNA translation to decay. Meanwhile, much evidence has shown that m⁶A methylation regulates the life cycle of viruses and inhibits or promotes the development of various viruses. However, the mechanism of m⁶A methylation in virus-associated tumors has not been fully elucidated. This review highlights the role of m⁶A modification in various viruses to help establish new approaches for treating related diseases.

Plain language summary

Genes contain the instructions that tell the body how to function and grow properly. When these instructions are interpreted, they are made into an intermediate called mRNA. mRNA can be modified to have different functions. A common type of modification, known as m⁶A modification, can change the body’s response to viral infections. This article reviews the evidence for the relationship between m⁶A modification and viral genes. Understanding this could help to identify new ways to treat diseases caused by viruses.

Keywords:

• Epstein–Barr virus
• hepatitis B virus
• human immunodeficiency virus
• human papilloma virus
• Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
• N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A)

Author contributions

Writing-original draft preparation, J Sun; writing-review and editing, Y Zhang and B Luo. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Financial & competing interest disclosure

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2020MH302; ZR2020MC020); Qingdao Science and Technology Benefit the People Demonstration and Guidance Special Project (20-3-4-35-nsh). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.