RNA m⁶A methylation is a post-transcriptional modification that occurs at the nitrogen-6 position of adenine. This dynamically reversible modification is installed, removed and recognized by methyltransferases, demethylases and readers, respectively. This modification has been found in most eukaryotic mRNA, tRNA, rRNA and other non-coding RNA. Recent studies have revealed important regulatory functions of the m⁶A including effects on gene expression regulation, organism development and cancer development. In this review, we summarize the discovery and features of m⁶A, and briefly introduce the mammalian m⁶A writers, erasers and readers. Finally, we discuss progress in identifying additional functions of m⁶A and the outstanding questions about the regulatory effect of this widespread modification.

RNA m ⁶ A 甲基化是一种转录后修饰，发生在腺嘌呤的氮 6 位。这种动态可逆的修饰分别被甲基转移酶、去甲基酶和读取器安装、移除和识别。这种修饰已在大多数真核 mRNA、tRNA、rRNA 和其他非编码 RNA 中发现。最近的研究揭示了 m ⁶ A 的重要调控功能，包括对基因表达调控、生物体发育和癌症发展的影响。在这篇综述中，我们总结了 m ⁶ A的发现和特征，并简要介绍了哺乳动物 m ⁶ A 的书写器、橡皮擦和阅读器。最后，我们讨论了在识别 m ^{6 的}附加功能方面的进展A 以及有关这种广泛修改的监管效果的悬而未决的问题。