Decoding epitranscriptomic regulation of viral infection: mapping of RNA N6-methyladenosine by advanced sequencing technologies

Elucidating the intricate interactions between viral pathogens and host cellular machinery during infection is paramount for understanding pathogenic mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic targets. The RNA modification N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) has emerged as a significant factor influencing the trajectory of viral infections. Hence, the precise and quantitative mapping of m(6)A modifications in both host and viral RNA is pivotal to understanding its role during viral infection. With the rapid advancement of sequencing technologies, scientists are able to detect m(6)A modifications with various quantitative, high-resolution, transcriptome approaches. These technological strides have reignited research interest in m(6)A, underscoring its significance and prompting a deeper investigation into its dynamics during viral infections. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical evolution of m(6)A epitranscriptome sequencing technologies, highlights the latest developments in transcriptome-wide m(6)A mapping, and emphasizes the innovative technologies for detecting m(6)A modification. We further discuss the implications of these technologies for future research into the role of m(6)A in viral infections.