Research progress of m6A RNA methylation modification in ocular disease

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the common internal post-transcriptional modification of eukaryotic mRNA. It is dynamically reversible and under the coordinated regulation of methyltransferases, demethylases, and m6A-binding proteins, widely participates in biological processes such as mRNA splicing, processing, nuclear export, translation, and degradation. Current detection methods for m6A modification mainly include methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, m6A individual-nucleotide-resolution cross-linking and immunoprecipitation sequencing, and Nanopore sequencing, which provide important technical support for elucidating its role in ocular diseases. Studies have shown that abnormal expression or dysfunction of m6A regulatory factors is involved in disease progression through mechanisms such as inflammatory response, pathological angiogenesis, and programmed cell death. m6A RNA methylation plays an important regulatory role in ocular diseases. In-depth elucidation of its molecular mechanisms and exploration of small molecule inhibitors targeting m6A regulatory factors are expected to provide new strategies for early diagnosis, targeted therapy, and prognostic assessment of ocular diseases. This article outlines the basic concepts of m6A RNA methylation modification and its regulatory factors, and reviews the research progress in ocular diseases, including keratitis, cataract, glaucoma, uveal melanoma, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy.