The potential regulatory role of RNA methylation in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Updates in whole genome sequencing technologies have revealed various RNA modifications in cancer, among which RNA methylation is a frequent posttranscriptional modification. RNA methylation is essential for regulating biological processes such as RNA transcription, splicing, structure, stability, and translation. Its dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of human malignancies. Research advances with respect to the regulatory role of RNA modifications in ovarian cancer include N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), and N7-methylguanosine (m7G). Numerous studies have demonstrated that epigenetic modifications of RNA can influence the progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer and may provide excellent targets for cancer therapy. This review highlights advances in research on RNA methylation modifications and ovarian cancer prognosis, carcinogenesis, and resistance, which could provide a theoretical foundation for designing therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer based on RNA methylation modifications.

Emerging role of m6A modification in ovarian cancer: progression, drug resistance, and therapeutic prospects

“…Recent studies have specifically highlighted the abnormal expression of m6A regulators, underscoring m6A methylation role in the incidences OC, and chemoresistance ( 35 ).…”

“…In the last five decades, the identification of over 100 RNA postsynthetic changes in various types of RNA has expanded our understanding of molecular regulation such as 5methylcytosine (25, 26), N1-methyladenosine (27)(28)(29)(30), and 7methylguanosine (31)(32)(33)(34). Of these, m6A is a most common modification and has significant impact on epitranscriptomic regulation (35)(36)(37). N6-methyladenosine, commonly known as m6A, is a reversible prevalent RNA modification characterized via adenosine methylation at nitrogen-6 position at RRACH (R=G or A, and H= A or U or C) sequence.…”