Brain development
m6A modification plays crucial roles in tissue development and homeostasis. However, the mechanisms underlying cellular adaptation of m6A modification and their impact on protein synthesis machinery remain unclear. VIRMA, the largest and evolutionarily conserved core of the m6A methyltransferase complex, is highly expressed in the embryonic brain and various cancers. We recently demonstrate that VIRMA-mediated m6A modification is essential for active ribosome biogenesis. VIRMA depletion impairs ribosome biogenesis by inhibiting mRNA decay, triggering a p53-dependent stress response and compromising global protein synthesis. Importantly, these findings extend to some cancer cells, suggesting a potential conservation of this mechanism. We are focusing on more mechanisms of how VIRMA and m6A involved in brain developmental disorders and cancers.