Multiple roles of mA methylation in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in migration and invasion of cancer cell and the development of tissue fibrosis diseases. N-methyladenosine (mA) is the most extensive type of RNA methylation and has aroused extensive interest in recent years. However, mA methylation seems to play different roles in different cancer cells and tissue fibrotic diseases. To determine the function of mA methylation in EMT, we summarized the molecular mechanism of EMT and recent progress in the regulation of EMT by mA methylation, suggesting that mA methylation targets EMT program by affecting the expression of transcription factors, EMT markers, long noncoding RNA and EMT-associated signaling pathways, which provides more possibilities for early diagnosis and treatment.