Roles of N6-Methyladenosine (m 6 A) in Stem Cell Fate Decisions and Early Embryonic Development in Mammals

N6-methyladenosine (m A) is one of the most abundant internal mRNA modifications, and it affects multiple biological processes related to eukaryotic mRNA. The majority of m A sites are located in stop codons and 3'UTR regions of mRNAs. m A regulates RNA metabolism, including alternative splicing (AS), alternative polyadenylation (APA), mRNA export, decay, stabilization, and translation. The m A metabolic pathway is regulated by a series of m A writers, erasers and readers. Recent studies indicate that m A is essential for the regulation of gene expression, tumor formation, stem cell fate, gametogenesis, and animal development. In this systematic review, we summarized the recent advances in newly identified m A effectors and the effects of m A on RNA metabolism. Subsequently, we reviewed the functional roles of RNA m A modification in diverse cellular bioprocesses, such as stem cell fate decisions, cell reprogramming and early embryonic development, and we discussed the potential of m A modification to be applied to regenerative medicine, disease treatment, organ transplantation, and animal reproduction.