Epitranscriptomic(N6-methyladenosine) Modification of Viral RNA and Virus-Host Interactions.

N6-methyladenosine (mA) is the most prevalent and internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Multiple mA methylation sites have been identified in the viral RNA genome and transcripts of DNA viruses in recent years. mA modification is involved in all the phases of RNA metabolism, including RNA stability, splicing, nuclear exporting, RNA folding, translational modulation, and RNA degradation. Three protein groups, methyltransferases (mA-writers), demethylases (mA-erasers), and mA-binding proteins (mA-readers) regulate this dynamic reversible process. Here, we have reviewed the role of mA modification dictating viral replication, morphogenesis, life cycle, and its contribution to disease progression. A better understanding of the mA methylation process during viral pathogenesis is required to reveal novel approaches to combat the virus-associated diseases.