The role of m⁶A modification in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and integrative analysis

This study focuses on the latest developments in the studies of m⁶A modification and provides an up-to-date summary of the association between m⁶A modification and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The possible mechanisms of m⁶A related to T2D were summarized by literature review. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of m⁶A methylase in T2D were analyzed from 12 datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The associations between m⁶A level and T2D were explored in four electronic databases, including PubMed, EmBase, Web of Science and CNKI. Standard mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) was calculated to assess the total effect in integrative analysis. Differential expression genes detected in at least three of six tissues were ZC3H13, YTHDC1/2, and IGF2BP2. LRPPRC were differentially expressed in five tissues except in arterial tissue. A total of 6 studies were included for integrative analysis. The mean m⁶A levels were significantly lower in T2D than those in normal controls (SMD = -1.35, 95 %CI: -2.58 to -0.11). This systematic review and integrative analysis summarize the previous studies on the association between m⁶A modification and T2D and the possible role of m⁶A modification in the progression of T2D, such as abnormal blood glucose, abnormal pancreatic β-cell function, insulin resistance, and abnormal lipid metabolism. The integrative analysis showed that decreased level of m⁶A was associated with T2D. These findings provide new targets for early detection and treatment for T2D.