The Role of mA Modification and mA Regulators in Esophageal Cancer.

N-methyladenosine (mA) modification, the most prevalent RNA modification, is involved in all aspects of RNA metabolism, including RNA processing, nuclear export, stability, translation and degradation. Therefore, mA modification can participate in various physiological functions, such as tissue development, heat shock response, DNA damage response, circadian clock control and even in carcinogenesis through regulating the expression or structure of the gene. The deposition, removal and recognition of mA are carried out by methyltransferases, demethylases and mA RNA binding proteins, respectively. Aberrant mA modification and the dysregulation of mA regulators play critical roles in the occurrence and development of various cancers. The pathogenesis of esophageal cancer (ESCA) remains unclear and the five-year survival rate of advanced ESCA patients is still dismal. Here, we systematically reviewed the recent studies of mA modification and mA regulators in ESCA and comprehensively analyzed the role and possible mechanism of mA modification and mA regulators in the occurrence, progression, remedy and prognosis of ESCA. Defining the effect of mA modification and mA regulators in ESCA might be helpful for determining the pathogenesis of ESCA and providing some ideas for an early diagnosis, individualized treatment and improved prognosis of ESCA patients.