A fly view on the roles and mechanisms of the m⁶A mRNA modification and its players

RNA modifications are an emerging layer of posttranscriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is amongst the most abundant modifications in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that was shown to influence many physiological processes from yeast to mammals. Like DNA methylation, m⁶A in mRNA is dynamically regulated. A conserved methyltransferase complex catalyzes the deposition of the methyl group on adenosine, which can be removed by specific classes of demethylases. Furthermore, YTH-domain containing proteins can recognize this modification to mediate m⁶A-dependent activities. Here we review the functions and mechanisms of the main m⁶A players with a particular focus on Drosophila melanogaster.