AUTHOR=Zhang Meng , Zhai Yanhui , Zhang Sheng , Dai Xiangpeng , Li Ziyi 

TITLE=Roles of N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) in Stem Cell Fate Decisions and Early Embryonic Development in Mammals

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.00782

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2020.00782

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p>N6-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A) is one of the most abundant internal mRNA modifications, and it affects multiple biological processes related to eukaryotic mRNA. The majority of m<sup>6</sup>A sites are located in stop codons and 3′UTR regions of mRNAs. m<sup>6</sup>A regulates RNA metabolism, including alternative splicing (AS), alternative polyadenylation (APA), mRNA export, decay, stabilization, and translation. The m<sup>6</sup>A metabolic pathway is regulated by a series of m<sup>6</sup>A writers, erasers and readers. Recent studies indicate that m<sup>6</sup>A is essential for the regulation of gene expression, tumor formation, stem cell fate, gametogenesis, and animal development. In this systematic review, we summarized the recent advances in newly identified m<sup>6</sup>A effectors and the effects of m<sup>6</sup>A on RNA metabolism. Subsequently, we reviewed the functional roles of RNA m<sup>6</sup>A modification in diverse cellular bioprocesses, such as stem cell fate decisions, cell reprogramming and early embryonic development, and we discussed the potential of m<sup>6</sup>A modification to be applied to regenerative medicine, disease treatment, organ transplantation, and animal reproduction.</p>