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m6A methylation: a potential key player in understanding and treating COVID-2019 infection
Weiwei Qian1,2, Jian Zhou3,4, Ligeng Duan1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, and Disaster Medical Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China.
Insights
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation plays a significant role in regulating viral RNA and is increasingly linked to COVID-19 infection severity. Understanding m6A mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies against coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a broad clinical spectrum, with severe outcomes linked to age, diabetes, and hypertension.
- The precise mechanisms driving differential COVID-19 risk and symptom presentation across populations remain unclear.
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent RNA modification in mammals, influencing gene expression and viral RNA regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on the involvement of m6A methylation in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- To highlight the significance of m6A modifications in viral RNA life cycles.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting m6A pathways in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating m6A methylation and COVID-19.
- Analysis of research on m6A's role in viral RNA transcript regulation.
- Synthesis of findings on the association between m6A and COVID-19 infection.
Main Results:
- m6A modifications are present in viral RNA and impact viral life cycle regulation.
- Emerging evidence strongly associates m6A methylation with the severity and progression of COVID-19.
- m6A dysregulation may contribute to the varied clinical manifestations of COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- m6A RNA methylation is a critical factor in the host-pathogen interaction during COVID-19.
- Further investigation into m6A mechanisms can elucidate COVID-19 pathophysiology.
- Targeting m6A pathways offers a promising avenue for novel COVID-19 therapeutics.
Abstract:
Since its discovery in 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) spans a wide clinical spectrum from the asymptomatic stage, mild infection, to severe pneumonia. In patients with COVID-2019, factors such as advanced age, diabetes, or hypertension are associated with a significantly increased risk of severe diseases and death. Of note, the mechanisms underlying differences in the risk and symptoms of COVID-2019 among different populations are still poorly characterized. Accordingly, it is imperative to elucidate potential pathophysiological mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic approaches for COVID-2019 infection. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common modifications in mammalian RNA transcripts and is widely found in messenger RNAs and some non-coding RNAs. It has been reported that m6A methylation modifications are present in viral RNA transcripts, which are of great significance for the regulation of the viral life cycle. Furthermore, m6A methylation has recently been found to be strongly associated with COVID-2019 infection. Therefore, this article reviews recent advances in studies related to the role of m6A methylation in COVID-2019 infection.
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