N6-methyladenosine methylation in acute lung injury: Mechanisms and research progress

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most prevalent and abundant internal post-transcriptional RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, playing an important regulatory role in various biological processes. The biological functions of m6A modification are dynamically and reversibly mediated by methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and m6A binding proteins (readers). Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common critical condition characterized by diffuse edema within the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have identified that aberrant expression of m6A regulators is closely associated with ALI development. This review highlights the progress in research on m6A writers, erasers, and readers in ALI, focusing on their molecular regulatory mechanisms. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of m6A and its associated proteins in ALI may reveal new therapeutic strategies and targets.