N⁶-methyladenine (m⁶A) is the most common and abundant internal modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, which can regulate gene expression and perform important biological tasks. Metal ions participate in nucleotide biosynthesis and repair, signal transduction, energy generation, immune defense, and other important metabolic processes. However, long-term environmental and occupational exposure to metals through food, air, soil, water, and industry can result in toxicity, serious health problems, and cancer. Recent evidence indicates dynamic and reversible m⁶A modification modulates various metal ion metabolism, such as iron absorption, calcium uptake and transport. In turn, environmental heavy metal can alter m⁶A modification by directly affecting catalytic activity and expression level of methyltransferases and demethylases, or through reactive oxygen species, eventually disrupting normal biological function and leading to diseases. Therefore, m⁶A RNA methylation may play a bridging role in heavy metal pollution-induced carcinogenesis. This review discusses interaction among heavy metal, m⁶A, and metal ions metabolism, and their regulatory mechanism, focuses on the role of m⁶A methylation and heavy metal pollution in cancer. Finally, the role of nutritional therapy that targeting m⁶A methylation to prevent metal ion metabolism disorder-induced cancer is summarized.

N ⁶ -甲基腺嘌呤 (m ⁶ A) 是真核生物 mRNA 中最常见和最丰富的内部修饰，可以调节基因表达并执行重要的生物学任务。金属离子参与核苷酸的生物合成和修复、信号转导、能量产生、免疫防御等重要的代谢过程。然而，通过食物、空气、土壤、水和工业长期接触金属的环境和职业会导致中毒、严重的健康问题和癌症。最近的证据表明动态和可逆的 m ⁶ A 修饰调节各种金属离子代谢，例如铁吸收、钙吸收和运输。反过来，环境重金属可以改变 m ⁶通过直接影响甲基转移酶和脱甲基酶的催化活性和表达水平，或通过活性氧，最终破坏正常生物功能并导致疾病的修饰。因此，m ⁶ A RNA甲基化可能在重金属污染致癌过程中起着桥梁作用。本综述讨论了重金属、m ^{6 A和金属离子代谢之间的相互作用及其调控机制，重点关注m 6} A甲基化和重金属污染在癌症中的作用。^{最后总结了靶向m 6} A甲基化的营养疗法在预防金属离子代谢紊乱诱发的癌症中的作用。