Research progress of N6-methyladenosine in colorectal cancer: A review

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide, causing serious harm to human health. Epigenetic modification, especially RNA methylation modification, plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer via post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA and non-coding RNA expression. Among these, N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most common chemical modification in mammals, which plays an important role in the progress of cancer, including colorectal cancer. m(6)A is a dynamic and reversible process and is mainly regulated by m(6)A methyltransferase (“writers”), m(6)A demethylases (“erasers”), and m(6)A binding proteins (“readers”). Herein, we reviewed recent advances in the role of m(6)A modification in colorectal cancer and focused on the factors affecting m(6)A modification. Furthermore, we discussed the clinical application of m(6)A modifications for colorectal cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and provided guides in clinical practice. m(6)A modification and m(6)A regulators play significant roles in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer by regulating the stability and translation of mRNAs, the maturation of miRNAs, and the function of lncRNAs. m(6)A regulators can play biological roles in colorectal cancer through m(6)A-dependent manner or m(6)A-independent manner. Multiplies of internal factors, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, and external factors can also regulate the m(6)A modification by completing with m(6)A regulators in a base complement manner, regulating the expression of m(6)A and mutating the m(6)A site. m(6)A regulators and m(6)A modificantion are diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC. Therefore, m(6)A regulators and m(6)A modificantion may be potential therapeutic target for CRC in the future.