ALKBH5-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of HO-1 mRNA regulates ferroptosis in cobalt-induced neurodegenerative damage

Emerging importance of m6A modification in liver cancer and its potential therapeutic role

Liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that form in the liver and is usually divided into several types, the most common of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which originates in liver cells. Other rare types of liver cancer include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). m6A modification is a chemical modification of RNA that usually manifests as the addition of a methyl group to adenine in the RNA molecule to form N6-methyladenosine. This modification exerts a critical role in various biological processes by regulating the metabolism of RNA, affecting gene expression. Recent studies have shown that m6A modification is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver cancer, and m6A regulators can further participate in the pathogenesis of liver cancer by regulating the expression of key genes and the function of specific cells. In this review, we provided an overview of the latest advances in m6A modification in liver cancer research and explored in detail the specific functions of different m6A regulators. Meanwhile, we deeply analyzed the mechanisms and roles of m6A modification in liver cancer, aiming to provide novel insights and references for the search for potential therapeutic targets. Finally, we discussed the prospects and challenges of targeting m6A regulators in liver cancer therapy.

METTL3-dependent m6A modification of GHR mRNA regulates mitochondrial function through mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation

N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) methylation has recently been shown to play a critical role in muscle development. We recently revealed that local GHR knockdown impairs mitochondrial function by inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby repressing myoblast differentiation. And we identified m6A modification peaks in the GHR mRNA of chicken muscle tissue. However, whether m6A modification may regulate GHR mRNA expression to impinge on mitochondrial function through mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation is lagging. We first predicted three potential m6A modification sites (GHR-139, GHR-203, GHR-385) on GHR mRNA through SRAMP online prediction website. We then confirmed that GHR-139 is the METTL3-dependent m6A modification site. Further, METTL3-dependent m6A modification down-regulated the GHR mRNA and protein expression, and blunted the GHR mediated GH-GHR-IGFs axis signal transduction during myoblast differentiation. We next revealed that METTL3-dependent m6A modification down-regulated GHR mRNA to inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis and impair mitochondrial function during myoblast differentiation. On the other hand, overexpression of METTL3 alone also proved to inhibit the expression of GHR gene, while suppressing mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial function. In terms of the m6A reader protein, we uncovered that m6A modification might regulate the GHR mRNA expression through three m6A reader proteins hnRNPR, hnRNPA3 and hnRNPM. In conclusion, our data corroborate that METTL3-dependent m6A modification down-regulates GHR mRNA expression to impair mitochondrial function by inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation.

The Regulation of Trace Metal Elements in Cancer Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, as novel type of regulated cell death that has garnered widespread attention over the past decade, has witnessed the continuous discovery of an increasing number of regulatory mechanisms. Trace metal elements play a multifaceted and crucial role in oncology. Interestingly, it has been increasingly evident that these elements, such as copper, are involved in the regulation of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation and antiferroptotic systems, suggesting the existence of "nonferrous" mechanisms in ferroptosis. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the composition and mechanism of ferroptosis is provided. The interaction between copper metabolism (including cuproptosis) and ferroptosis in cancer, as well as the roles of other trace metal elements (such as zinc, manganese, cobalt, and molybdenum) in ferroptosis are specifically focused. Furthermore, the applications of nanomaterials based on these metals in cancer therapy are also reviewed and potential strategies for co-targeting ferroptosis and cuproptosis are explored. Nevertheless, in light of the intricate and ambiguous nature of these interactions, ongoing research is essential to further elucidate the "nonferrous" mechanisms of ferroptosis, thereby facilitating the development of novel therapeutic targets and approaches for cancer treatment.