Research progress on RNA m6A methylation modification mediating placental disorders induced by maternal stress†

Maternal stress caused by the environmental factors varied in intrauterine and extrauterine during pregnancy may significantly affect placental and fetal development, as well as offspring health in adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms are frequently invoked to elucidate these effects. RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, one of the most prevalent and abundant post-transcriptional epigenetic modifications in eukaryotic mRNA, has recently garnered widespread attention in life sciences. RNA m6A modification plays critical roles in RNA splicing, translation, localization, stability, and has been implicated in various biological processes, including embryonic development, sex determination, and disease pathogenesis. In studies of placental developmental abnormalities induced by maternal stress during pregnancy, m6A modification has emerged as a key mechanism. This article initially introduces the impact of RNA m6A methylation modification on placental development, subsequently elaborates on recent advances in understanding how maternal stress induces placental abnormalities via m6A modification, and finally summarizes unresolved key questions in this field. This review aims to propose strategies for preventing and treating placental developmental abnormalities caused by maternal stress.