Abstract
N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) represents the most prevalent internal and reversible modification on RNAs. Different cell types display their unique m(6)A profiles, which are determined by the functions of m(6)A writers and erasers. M(6)A modifications lead to different outcomes such as decay, stabilization, or transport of the RNAs. The m(6)A-encoded epigenetic information is interpreted by m(6)A readers and their interacting proteins. M(6)A readers are essential for different biological processes, and the defects in m(6)A readers have been discovered in diverse diseases. Here, we review the latest advances in the roles of m(6)A readers in development and diseases. These recent studies not only highlight the importance of m(6)A readers in regulating cell fate transitions, but also point to the potential application of drugs targeting m(6)A readers in diseases.