A review of advances in analytical strategies for RNA methylation

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent RNA methylation modification, and its dysregulation causes aberrant transcription and translation, which plays critical roles in the bouts and progression of diseases such as breast cancer, gastric carcinoma, lung cancer, and brain tumor. Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of m6A RNA have been extensively studied. Various strategies have recently emerged for selectively and sensitively qualifying m6A RNA modifications. Although m6A RNA modification has been reviewed in recent years, they mainly focused on m6A RNA-mediated gene expression regulation and its applications, as well as traditional methods for m6A or m6A RNA. We present here a timely and comprehensive review that summarizes the recent advances in detection strategies of m6A RNA as well as its associated effectors of enzymes and proteins. It begins with an overview of the critical role of m6A RNA methylation in biological processes, followed by a detailed discussion of the recent developments in m6A RNA methylation. Specially, we focus on methyltransferases, demethylases, and associated proteins detection methods such as thin-layer chromatography, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, sequencing technology, fluorescence, electrochemistry, electrochemiluminescence, and photoelectrochemistry. Future challenges and opportunities are discussed, and possible directions are outlined in the field of m6A RNA methylation detection, providing helpful information and guidance for the design of new m6A RNA methylation detection strategies.