The Role of N6-Methyladenosine in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Pathology

Mitochondria are indispensable in cells and play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, energy production, and regulating cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunction has various manifestations, causing different diseases by affecting the diverse functions of mitochondria in the body. Previous studies have mainly focused on mitochondrial-related diseases caused by nuclear gene mutations or mitochondrial gene mutations, or mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from epigenetic regulation, such as DNA and histone modification. In recent years, as a popular research area, m⁶A has been involved in a variety of important processes under physiological and pathological conditions. However, there are few summaries on how RNA methylation, especially m⁶A RNA methylation, affects mitochondrial function. Additionally, the role of m⁶A in pathology through influencing mitochondrial function may provide us with a new perspective on disease treatment. In this review, we summarize several manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction and compile examples from recent years of how m⁶A affects mitochondrial function and its role in some diseases.