Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) generated through the reverse splicing of mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs). They possess a unique loop structure and exhibit remarkable stability. CircRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer, with specific circRNAs playing cruc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qingling Xu, Yi Jia, Ying Liu, Bing Wu, Jianxun Wang, Xiang Ao, Wei Ding
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1554888/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850154657102430208
author Qingling Xu
Qingling Xu
Yi Jia
Yi Jia
Ying Liu
Bing Wu
Jianxun Wang
Xiang Ao
Xiang Ao
Wei Ding
author_facet Qingling Xu
Qingling Xu
Yi Jia
Yi Jia
Ying Liu
Bing Wu
Jianxun Wang
Xiang Ao
Xiang Ao
Wei Ding
author_sort Qingling Xu
collection DOAJ
description Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) generated through the reverse splicing of mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs). They possess a unique loop structure and exhibit remarkable stability. CircRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer, with specific circRNAs playing crucial roles in cancer drug discovery, treatment, and resistance mechanisms. N6 methyl adenosine (m6A) represents the most prevalent RNA modification in eukaryotes. In 2017, researchers identified that m6A modifications also occur in circRNAs, displaying unique characteristics. m6A-modified circRNAs undergo reversible regulation mediated by enzymes involved in m6A modification pathways. These modified circRNAs interact with m6A-binding proteins, thereby influencing processes such as alternative splicing, translation and degradation. Some circRNAs enhance their metabolism or facilitate nuclear export to the cytoplasm by interacting with enzymes involved in m6A regulation. The study of m6A-modified circRNAs has gained great attention in circRNA research due to their association with various diseases. This review summarizes the functional mechanisms of circRNAs regulated by m6A modifications and their implications in cancer occurrence and therapy, with a primary focus on the genesis, regulatory mechanisms, and functional roles of m6A-modified circRNAs in the biology of diverse types of cancers. Additionally, we explore the potential application of m6A-modified circRNAs in clinical cancer treatment.
format Article
id doaj-art-a98f9423f0364af0bf7c93eaf24712ed
institution OA Journals
issn 2234-943X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-a98f9423f0364af0bf7c93eaf24712ed2025-08-20T02:25:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-05-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15548881554888Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancerQingling Xu0Qingling Xu1Yi Jia2Yi Jia3Ying Liu4Bing Wu5Jianxun Wang6Xiang Ao7Xiang Ao8Wei Ding9Department of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaInstitute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaInstitute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) generated through the reverse splicing of mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs). They possess a unique loop structure and exhibit remarkable stability. CircRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer, with specific circRNAs playing crucial roles in cancer drug discovery, treatment, and resistance mechanisms. N6 methyl adenosine (m6A) represents the most prevalent RNA modification in eukaryotes. In 2017, researchers identified that m6A modifications also occur in circRNAs, displaying unique characteristics. m6A-modified circRNAs undergo reversible regulation mediated by enzymes involved in m6A modification pathways. These modified circRNAs interact with m6A-binding proteins, thereby influencing processes such as alternative splicing, translation and degradation. Some circRNAs enhance their metabolism or facilitate nuclear export to the cytoplasm by interacting with enzymes involved in m6A regulation. The study of m6A-modified circRNAs has gained great attention in circRNA research due to their association with various diseases. This review summarizes the functional mechanisms of circRNAs regulated by m6A modifications and their implications in cancer occurrence and therapy, with a primary focus on the genesis, regulatory mechanisms, and functional roles of m6A-modified circRNAs in the biology of diverse types of cancers. Additionally, we explore the potential application of m6A-modified circRNAs in clinical cancer treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1554888/fullcircRNAN6-methyladenosinecancerm6A modificationdrug resistance
spellingShingle Qingling Xu
Qingling Xu
Yi Jia
Yi Jia
Ying Liu
Bing Wu
Jianxun Wang
Xiang Ao
Xiang Ao
Wei Ding
Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
Frontiers in Oncology
circRNA
N6-methyladenosine
cancer
m6A modification
drug resistance
title Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
title_full Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
title_fullStr Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
title_full_unstemmed Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
title_short Novel insights into the N 6-methyladenosine modification on circRNA in cancer
title_sort novel insights into the n 6 methyladenosine modification on circrna in cancer
topic circRNA
N6-methyladenosine
cancer
m6A modification
drug resistance
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1554888/full
work_keys_str_mv AT qinglingxu novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT qinglingxu novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT yijia novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT yijia novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT yingliu novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT bingwu novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT jianxunwang novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT xiangao novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT xiangao novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer
AT weiding novelinsightsintothen6methyladenosinemodificationoncircrnaincancer