Emerging Orchestrator of Ecological Adaptation: m6A Regulation of Post-Transcriptional Mechanisms.

Abstract

Genetic mechanisms have been at the forefront of our exploration into the substrate of adaptive evolution and phenotypic diversification. However, genetic variation only accounts for a fraction of phenotypic variation. In the last decade, the significance of RNA modification mechanisms has become more apparent in the context of organismal adaptation to rapidly changing environments. RNA m⁶A methylation, the most abundant form of RNA modification, is emerging as a potentially significant player in various biological processes. Despite its fundamental function to regulate other major post-transcriptional mechanisms such as microRNA and alternative splicing, its role in ecology and evolution has been understudied. This review highlights the potential importance of m⁶A RNA methylation in ecological adaptation, emphasising the need for further research, especially in natural systems. We focus on how m⁶A not only affects mRNA fate but also influences miRNA-mediated gene regulation and alternative splicing, potentially contributing to organismal adaptation. The aim of this review is to synthesise key background information to enhance our understanding of m⁶A mechanisms driving species survival in dynamic environments and motivate future research into the dynamics of adaptive RNA methylation.