Advances in N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation and ophthalmic diseases

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) refers to the methylation modification at the sixth nitrogen atom position of adenine nucleoside, and is the most common post-transcriptional modification in messenger RNA (mRNA) and long non-coding RNA (LncRNA). M6A modification is involved in various biological processes such as tissue development, stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, heat shock, DNA damage response, and transition of gene expression from maternal to zygotic transition period. M6A is an important post-transcriptional mRNA regulator in eukaryotic cells, and also plays a vital role in various diseases. M6A modifications in RNA interact with various types of proteins and influence several aspects of RNA biological processes, such as translation, degradation, transport, stability, and splicing. m6A RNA methylation plays an important role in common eye diseases suchas diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration and is involved in the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and scavenging of reactive oxygen species during oxidative stress.