Emerging Roles of N6-Methyladenosine Modification in Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration

N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A), the most abundant modification in messenger RNAs (mRNAs), is deposited by methyltransferases (“writers”) Mettl3 and Mettl14 and erased by demethylases (“erasers”) Fto and Alkbh5. m(6)A can be recognized by m(6)A-binding proteins (“readers”), such as Yth domain family proteins (Ythdfs) and Yth domain-containing protein 1 (Ythdc1). Previous studies have indicated that m(6)A plays an essential function in various fundamental biological processes, including neurogenesis and neuronal development. Dysregulated m(6)A modification contributes to neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the roles of m(6)A machinery, including writers, erasers, and readers, in regulating gene expression and the function of m(6)A in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. We also discuss the perspectives for studying m(6)A methylation.