N(6)-Methyladenosine and Viral Infection

N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A), as a dynamic posttranscriptional RNA modification, recently gave rise to the field of viral epitranscriptomics. The interaction between virus and host is affected by m(6)A. Multiple m(6)A-modified viral RNAs have been observed. The epitranscriptome of m(6)A in host cells are altered after viral infection. The expression of viral genes, the replication of virus and the generation of progeny virions are influenced by m(6)A modifications in viral RNAs during virus infection. Meanwhile, the decorations of m(6)A in host mRNAs can make viral infections more likely to happen or can enhance the resistance of host to virus infection. However, the mechanism of m(6)A regulation in viral infection and host immune response has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. With the development of sequencing-based biotechnologies, transcriptome-wide mapping of m(6)A in viruses has been achieved, laying the foundation for expanding its functions and corresponding mechanisms. In this report, we summarize the positive and negative effects of m(6)A in distinct viral infection. Given the increasingly important roles of m(6)A in diverse viruses, m(6)A represents a novel potential target for antiviral therapy.