1
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Khan FA, Nsengimana B, Awan UA, Ji XY, Ji S, Dong J. Regulatory roles of N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) methylation in RNA processing and non-communicable diseases. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00789-1. [PMID: 38839892 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00789-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional RNA modification is an emerging epigenetic control mechanism in cells that is important in many different cellular and organismal processes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent, prolific, and ubiquitous internal transcriptional alterations in eukaryotic mRNAs, making it an important topic in the field of Epigenetics. m6A methylation acts as a dynamical regulatory process that regulates the activity of genes and participates in multiple physiological processes, by supporting multiple aspects of essential mRNA metabolic processes, including pre-mRNA splicing, nuclear export, translation, miRNA synthesis, and stability. Extensive research has linked aberrations in m6A modification and m6A-associated proteins to a wide range of human diseases. However, the impact of m6A on mRNA metabolism and its pathological connection between m6A and other non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, liver diseases, and cancer remains in fragmentation. Here, we review the existing understanding of the overall role of mechanisms by which m6A exerts its activities and address new discoveries that highlight m6A's diverse involvement in gene expression regulation. We discuss m6A deposition on mRNA and its consequences on degradation, translation, and transcription, as well as m6A methylation of non-coding chromosomal-associated RNA species. This study could give new information about the molecular process, early detection, tailored treatment, and predictive evaluation of human non-communicable diseases like cancer. We also explore more about new data that suggests targeting m6A regulators in diseases may have therapeutic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ali Khan
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Basic Sciences Research, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Bernard Nsengimana
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Usman Ayub Awan
- Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Huang X, Li Q, Xu Y, Li A, Wang S, Chen Y, Zhang C, Zhang X, Wang H, Lv C, Sun B, Li S, Kang L, Chen B. A neural m 6A pathway regulates behavioral aggregation in migratory locusts. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1242-1254. [PMID: 38478296 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as the most abundant modification of messenger RNA, can modulate insect behaviors, but its specific roles in aggregation behaviors remain unexplored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive molecular and physiological characterization of the individual components of the methyltransferase and demethylase in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. Our results demonstrated that METTL3, METTL14 and ALKBH5 were dominantly expressed in the brain and exhibited remarkable responses to crowding or isolation. The individual knockdown of methyltransferases (i.e., METTL3 and METTL14) promoted locust movement and conspecific attraction, whereas ALKBH5 knockdown induced a behavioral shift toward the solitary phase. Furthermore, global transcriptome profiles revealed that m6A modification could regulate the orchestration of gene expression to fine tune the behavioral aggregation of locusts. In summary, our in vivo characterization of the m6A functions in migratory locusts clearly demonstrated the crucial roles of the m6A pathway in effectively modulating aggregation behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianliang Huang
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Qing Li
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanan Xu
- Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Ang Li
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shanzheng Wang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Chunrui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hailin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Cong Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Baofa Sun
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shaoqin Li
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Le Kang
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Bing Chen
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
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3
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Shen A, Hencel K, Parker MT, Scott R, Skukan R, Adesina AS, Metheringham CL, Miska EA, Nam Y, Haerty W, Simpson GG, Akay A. U6 snRNA m6A modification is required for accurate and efficient splicing of C. elegans and human pre-mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae447. [PMID: 38808663 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
pre-mRNA splicing is a critical feature of eukaryotic gene expression. Both cis- and trans-splicing rely on accurately recognising splice site sequences by spliceosomal U snRNAs and associated proteins. Spliceosomal snRNAs carry multiple RNA modifications with the potential to affect different stages of pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we show that the conserved U6 snRNA m6A methyltransferase METT-10 is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans pre-mRNAs. The absence of METT-10 in C. elegans and METTL16 in humans primarily leads to alternative splicing at 5' splice sites with an adenosine at +4 position. In addition, METT-10 is required for splicing of weak 3' cis- and trans-splice sites. We identified a significant overlap between METT-10 and the conserved splicing factor SNRNP27K in regulating 5' splice sites with +4A. Finally, we show that editing endogenous 5' splice site +4A positions to +4U restores splicing to wild-type positions in a mett-10 mutant background, supporting a direct role for U6 snRNA m6A modification in 5' splice site recognition. We conclude that the U6 snRNA m6A modification is important for accurate and efficient pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Shen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | - Katarzyna Hencel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | - Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Robyn Scott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberta Skukan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | | | | | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Alper Akay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
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4
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Yang S, Xu L, Zhuang H, Li F, Lu Y. A new perspective on hematological malignancies: m6A modification in immune microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374390. [PMID: 38868768 PMCID: PMC11168112 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for hematological malignancies is a rapidly advancing field that has gained momentum in recent years, primarily encompassing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and other modalities. However, its clinical efficacy remains limited, and drug resistance poses a significant challenge. Therefore, novel immunotherapeutic targets and agents need to be identified. Recently, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent RNA epitope modification, has emerged as a pivotal factor in various malignancies. Reportedly, m6A mutations influence the immunological microenvironment of hematological malignancies, leading to immune evasion and compromising the anti-tumor immune response in hematological malignancies. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the roles of the currently identified m6A modifications in various hematological malignancies, with a particular focus on their impact on the immune microenvironment. Additionally, we provide an overview of the research progress made in developing m6A-targeted drugs for hematological tumor therapy, to offer novel clinical insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Liping Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Haihui Zhuang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Fenglin Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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5
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Han Y, Sun K, Yu S, Qin Y, Zhang Z, Luo J, Hu H, Dai L, Cui M, Jiang C, Liu F, Huang Y, Gao P, Chen X, Xin T, Ren X, Wu X, Song J, Wang Q, Tang Z, Chen J, Zhang H, Zhang X, Liu M, Luo D. A Mettl16/m 6A/mybl2b/Igf2bp1 axis ensures cell cycle progression of embryonic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. EMBO J 2024; 43:1990-2014. [PMID: 38605226 PMCID: PMC11099167 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00082-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal lethality associated with mouse knockout of Mettl16, a recently identified RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, has hampered characterization of the essential role of METTL16-mediated RNA m6A modification in early embryonic development. Here, using cross-species single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, we found that during early embryonic development, METTL16 is more highly expressed in vertebrate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) than other methyltransferases. In Mettl16-deficient zebrafish, proliferation capacity of embryonic HSPCs is compromised due to G1/S cell cycle arrest, an effect whose rescue requires Mettl16 with intact methyltransferase activity. We further identify the cell-cycle transcription factor mybl2b as a directly regulated by Mettl16-mediated m6A modification. Mettl16 deficiency resulted in the destabilization of mybl2b mRNA, likely due to lost binding by the m6A reader Igf2bp1 in vivo. Moreover, we found that the METTL16-m6A-MYBL2-IGF2BP1 axis controlling G1/S progression is conserved in humans. Collectively, our findings elucidate the critical function of METTL16-mediated m6A modification in HSPC cell cycle progression during early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Kui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, China
| | - Yayun Qin
- Medical Genetics Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Zuxiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Jiong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Hualei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Liyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Manman Cui
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Chaolin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Tianqing Xin
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
| | - Jieping Song
- Medical Genetics Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Haojian Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Daji Luo
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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6
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Liu Y, Goebel GL, Kanis L, Hastürk O, Kemker C, Wu P. Aminothiazolone Inhibitors Disrupt the Protein-RNA Interaction of METTL16 and Modulate the m 6A RNA Modification. JACS AU 2024; 4:1436-1449. [PMID: 38665670 PMCID: PMC11040665 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Targeting RNA-binding and modifying proteins via small molecules to modulate post-transcriptional modifications have emerged as a new frontier for chemical biology and therapeutic research. One such RNA-binding protein that regulates the most prevalent eukaryotic RNA modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), is the methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16), which plays an oncogenic role in cancers by cofunctioning with other nucleic acid-binding proteins. To date, no potent small-molecule inhibitor of METTL16 or modulator interfering with the METTL16-RNA interaction has been reported and validated, highlighting the unmet need to develop such small molecules to investigate the METTL16-involved regulatory network. Herein, we described the identification of a series of first-in-class aminothiazolone METTL16 inhibitors via a discovery pipeline that started with a fluorescence-polarization (FP)-based screening. Structural optimization of the initial hit yielded inhibitors, such as compound 45, that showed potent single-digit micromolar inhibition activity against the METTL16-RNA binding. The identified aminothiazolone inhibitors can be useful probes to elucidate the biological function of METTL16 upon perturbation and evaluate the therapeutic potential of METTL16 inhibition via small molecules at the post-transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Georg L. Goebel
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Laurin Kanis
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Oguz Hastürk
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Claus Kemker
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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7
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Zhang CC, Li Y, Jiang CY, Le QM, Liu X, Ma L, Wang FF. O-GlcNAcylation mediates H 2O 2-induced apoptosis through regulation of STAT3 and FOXO1. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:714-727. [PMID: 38191912 PMCID: PMC10943090 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01218-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The O-linked-β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is a critical post-translational modification that couples the external stimuli to intracellular signal transduction networks. However, the critical protein targets of O-GlcNAcylation in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that treatment with H2O2 inhibited O-GlcNAcylation, impaired cell viability, increased the cleaved caspase 3 and accelerated apoptosis of neuroblastoma N2a cells. The O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor OSMI-1 or the O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor Thiamet-G enhanced or inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis, respectively. The total and phosphorylated protein levels, as well as the promoter activities of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) and Forkhead box protein O 1 (FOXO1) were suppressed by OSMI-1. In contrast, overexpressing OGT or treating with Thiamet-G increased the total protein levels of STAT3 and FOXO1. Overexpression of STAT3 or FOXO1 abolished OSMI-1-induced apoptosis. Whereas the anti-apoptotic effect of OGT and Thiamet-G in H2O2-treated cells was abolished by either downregulating the expression or activity of endogenous STAT3 or FOXO1. These results suggest that STAT3 or FOXO1 are the potential targets of O-GlcNAcylation involved in the H2O2-induced apoptosis of N2a cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chun Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chang-You Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiu-Min Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fei-Fei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, 200032, China.
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8
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Yu B, Cai Z, Liu J, Zhang T, Feng X, Wang C, Li J, Gu Y, Zhang J. Identification of key differentially methylated genes in regulating muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in chickens. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130737. [PMID: 38460642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Muscle development and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition are intricate physiological processes characterized by multiple gene expressions and interactions. In this research, the phenotypic variations in the breast muscle of Jingyuan chickens were examined at three different time points: 42, 126, and 180 days old. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs) responsible for regulating muscle development and IMF deposition. The findings indicate a significant increase in breast muscle weight (BMW), myofiber diameter, and cross-sectional area, as well as IMF content, in correlation with the progressive number of growing days in Jingyuan chickens. The findings also revealed that 380 hypo-methylated and 253 hyper-methylated DMGs were identified between the three groups of breast muscle. Module gene and DMG association analysis identified m6A methylation-mediated multiple DMGs associated with muscle development and fat metabolism. In vitro cell modeling analysis reveals stage-specific differences in the expression of CUBN, MEGF10, BOP1, and BMPR2 during the differentiation of myoblasts and intramuscular preadipocytes. Cycloleucine treatment significantly inhibited the expression levels of CUBN, BOP1, and BMPR2, and promoted the expression of MEGF10. These results suggest that m6A methylation-mediated CUBN, MEGF10, BOP1, and BMPR2 can serve as potential candidate genes for regulating muscle development and IMF deposition, and provide an important theoretical basis for further investigation of the functional mechanism of m6A modification involved in adipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojun Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Zhengyun Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jiamin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Xiaofang Feng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Chuanchuan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jiwei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yaling Gu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
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9
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Yao Y, Liu P, Li Y, Wang W, Jia H, Bai Y, Yuan Z, Yang Z. Regulatory role of m 6A epitranscriptomic modifications in normal development and congenital malformations during embryogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116171. [PMID: 38394844 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and its role in translation has led to the emergence of a new field of research. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting that m6A methylation is essential for the pathogenesis of cancers and aging diseases by influencing RNA stability, localization, transformation, and translation efficiency, its role in normal and abnormal embryonic development remains unclear. An increasing number of studies are addressing the development of the nervous and gonadal systems during embryonic development, but only few are assessing that of the immune, hematopoietic, urinary, and respiratory systems. Additionally, these studies are limited by the requirement for reliable embryonic animal models and the difficulty in collecting tissue samples of fetuses during development. Multiple studies on the function of m6A methylation have used suitable cell lines to mimic the complex biological processes of fetal development or the early postnatal phase; hence, the research is still in the primary stage. Herein, we discuss current advances in the extensive biological functions of m6A methylation in the development and maldevelopment of embryos/fetuses and conclude that m6A modification occurs extensively during fetal development. Aberrant expression of m6A regulators is probably correlated with single or multiple defects in organogenesis during the intrauterine life. This comprehensive review will enhance our understanding of the pivotal role of m6A modifications involved in fetal development and examine future research directions in embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Yao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Peiqi Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huimin Jia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuzuo Bai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Zhonghua Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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10
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Hudspeth J, Rogge K, Dörner S, Müll M, Hoffmeister D, Rupp B, Werten S. Methyl transfer in psilocybin biosynthesis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2709. [PMID: 38548735 PMCID: PMC10978996 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46997-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin, the natural hallucinogen produced by Psilocybe ("magic") mushrooms, holds great promise for the treatment of depression and several other mental health conditions. The final step in the psilocybin biosynthetic pathway, dimethylation of the tryptophan-derived intermediate norbaeocystin, is catalysed by PsiM. Here we present atomic resolution (0.9 Å) crystal structures of PsiM trapped at various stages of its reaction cycle, providing detailed insight into the SAM-dependent methylation mechanism. Structural and phylogenetic analyses suggest that PsiM derives from epitranscriptomic N6-methyladenosine writers of the METTL16 family, which is further supported by the observation that bound substrates physicochemically mimic RNA. Inherent limitations of the ancestral monomethyltransferase scaffold hamper the efficiency of psilocybin assembly and leave PsiM incapable of catalysing trimethylation to aeruginascin. The results of our study will support bioengineering efforts aiming to create novel variants of psilocybin with improved therapeutic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Hudspeth
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Kai Rogge
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute of Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dörner
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute of Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Maximilian Müll
- Research Group Biosynthetic Design of Natural Products, Leibniz Institute of Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute of Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Rupp
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- k.-k. Hofkristallamt, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sebastiaan Werten
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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11
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Cheng J, Xu Z, Tan W, He J, Pan B, Zhang Y, Deng Y. METTL16 promotes osteosarcoma progression by downregulating VPS33B in an m 6 A-dependent manner. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31068. [PMID: 37357526 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) is one of the main epitranscriptomic modifications that accelerates the progression of malignant tumors by modifying RNA. Methyltransferase-like 16 (METTL16) is a newly identified methyltransferase that has been found to play an important oncogenic role in a few malignancies; however, its function in osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. In this study, METTL16 was found to be upregulated in OS tissues, and associated with poor prognosis in OS patients. Functionally, METTL16 substantially promoted OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and OS growth in vivo. Mechanistically, vacuolar protein sorting protein 33b (VPS33B) was identified as the downstream target of METTL16, which induced m6 A modification of VPS33B and impaired the stability of the VPS33B transcript, thereby degrading VPS33B. In addition, VPS33B was found to be downregulated in OS tissues, VPS33B knockdown markedly attenuated shMETTL16-mediated inhibition on OS progression. Finally, METTL16/VPS33B might facilitate OS progression through PI3K/AKT pathway. In summary, this study revealed an important role for the METTL16-mediated m6 A modification in OS progression, implying it as a promising target for OS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhihao Xu
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinpeng He
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Boyu Pan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Youwen Deng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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12
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Ma Z, Sugimura R, Lui KO. The role of m6A mRNA modification in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:100-115. [PMID: 37195903 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a highly orchestrated biological process sustaining the supply of leukocytes involved in the maintenance of immunity, O2 and CO2 exchange, and wound healing throughout the lifetime of an animal, including humans. During early hematopoietic cell development, several waves of hematopoiesis require the precise regulation of hematopoietic ontogeny as well as the maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the hematopoietic tissues, such as the fetal liver and bone marrow. Recently, emerging evidence has suggested the critical role of m6A messenger RNA (mRNA) modification, an epigenetic modification dynamically regulated by its effector proteins, in the generation and maintenance of hematopoietic cells during embryogenesis. In the adulthood, m6A has also been demonstrated to be involved in the functional maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, as well as the progression of malignant hematopoiesis. In this review, we focus on recent progress in identifying the biological functions of m6A mRNA modification, its regulators, and downstream gene targets during normal and pathological hematopoiesis. We propose that targeting m6A mRNA modification could offer novel insights into therapeutic development against abnormal and malignant hematopoietic cell development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangjing Ma
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rio Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam , Hong Kong, China
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China
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13
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Gu Y, Song Y, Pan Y, Liu J. The essential roles of m 6A modification in osteogenesis and common bone diseases. Genes Dis 2024; 11:335-345. [PMID: 37588215 PMCID: PMC10425797 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent modification in the eukaryotic transcriptome and has a wide range of functions in coding and noncoding RNAs. It affects the fate of the modified RNA, including its stability, splicing, and translation, and plays an important role in post-transcriptional regulation. Bones play a key role in supporting and protecting muscles and other organs, facilitating the movement of the organism, ensuring blood production, etc. Bone diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and bone tumors are serious public health problems. The processes of bone development and osteogenic differentiation require the precise regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms including histone, DNA, and RNA modifications. As a reversible dynamic epigenetic mark, m6A modifications affect nearly every important biological process, cellular component, and molecular function, including skeletal development and homeostasis. In recent years, studies have shown that m6A modification is involved in osteogenesis and bone-related diseases. In this review, we summarized the proteins involved in RNA m6A modification and the latest progress in elucidating the regulatory role of m6A modification in bone formation and stem cell directional differentiation. We also discussed the pathological roles and potential molecular mechanisms of m6A modification in bone-related diseases like osteoporosis and osteosarcoma and suggested potential areas for new strategies that could be used to prevent or treat bone defects and bone diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yidan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yihua Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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14
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Zhang Z, Zhou K, Han L, Small A, Xue J, Huang H, Weng H, Su R, Tan B, Shen C, Li W, Zhao Z, Qing Y, Qin X, Wang K, Leung K, Boldin M, Chen CW, Ann D, Qian Z, Deng X, Chen J, Chen Z. RNA m 6A reader YTHDF2 facilitates precursor miR-126 maturation to promote acute myeloid leukemia progression. Genes Dis 2024; 11:382-396. [PMID: 37588203 PMCID: PMC10425806 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most common internal modification of mRNA, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and its regulators modulate gene expression and play critical roles in various biological and pathological processes including tumorigenesis. It was reported previously that m6A methyltransferase (writer), methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) adds m6A in primary microRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and facilitates its processing into precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs). However, it is unknown whether m6A modification also plays a role in the maturation process of pre-miRNAs and (if so) whether such a function contributes to tumorigenesis. Here, we found that YTHDF2 is aberrantly overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, especially in relapsed patients, and plays an oncogenic role in AML. Moreover, YTHDF2 promotes expression of miR-126-3p (also known as miR-126, as it is the main product of precursor miR-126 (pre-miR-126)), a miRNA that was reported as an oncomiRNA in AML, through facilitating the processing of pre-miR-126 into mature miR-126. Mechanistically, YTHDF2 recognizes m6A modification in pre-miR-126 and recruits AGO2, a regulator of pre-miRNA processing, to promote the maturation of pre-miR-126. YTHDF2 positively and negatively correlates with miR-126 and miR-126's downstream target genes, respectively, in AML patients, and forced expression of miR-126 could largely rescue YTHDF2/Ythdf2 depletion-mediated suppression on AML cell growth/proliferation and leukemogenesis, indicating that miR-126 is a functionally important target of YTHDF2 in AML. Overall, our studies not only reveal a previously unappreciated YTHDF2/miR-126 axis in AML and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis for AML treatment, but also suggest that m6A plays a role in pre-miRNA processing that contributes to tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Keren Zhou
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Li Han
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Andrew Small
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Jianhuang Xue
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Huilin Huang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Hengyou Weng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510005, China
- Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 51005, China
| | - Rui Su
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Brandon Tan
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Chao Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Zhicong Zhao
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ying Qing
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Xi Qin
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kitty Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Keith Leung
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Mark Boldin
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - David Ann
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhijian Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhenhua Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
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15
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Yoshinaga M, Takeuchi O. RNA Metabolism Governs Immune Function and Response. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1444:145-161. [PMID: 38467978 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-9781-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Inflammation is a complex process that protects our body from various insults such as infection, injury, and stress. Proper inflammation is beneficial to eliminate the insults and maintain organ homeostasis, however, it can become detrimental if uncontrolled. To tightly regulate inflammation, post-transcriptional mechanisms governing RNA metabolism play a crucial role in monitoring the expression of immune-related genes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These mechanisms involve the coordinated action of various RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including the Regnase family, Roquin, and RNA methyltransferases, which are responsible for mRNA decay and/or translation regulation. The collaborative efforts of these RBPs are essential in preventing aberrant immune response activation and consequently safeguarding against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in our understanding of post-transcriptional regulation within the immune system and explores the specific roles of individual RBPs in RNA metabolism and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Yoshinaga
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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16
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Zhigalova NA, Oleynikova KY, Ruzov AS, Ermakov AS. The Functions of N 6-Methyladenosine in Nuclear RNAs. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:159-172. [PMID: 38467552 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common modifications in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic mRNAs. It has been experimentally confirmed that m6A methylation is involved in the regulation of stability and translation of various mRNAs. Until recently, the majority of m6A-related studies have been focused on the cytoplasmic functions of this modification. Here, we review new data on the role of m6A in several key biological processes taking place in the cell nucleus, such as transcription, chromatin organization, splicing, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, and R-loop metabolism. Based on analysis of these data, we suggest that m6A methylation of nuclear RNAs is another level of gene expression regulation which, together with DNA methylation and histone modifications, controls chromatin structure and functioning in various biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda A Zhigalova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Katerina Yu Oleynikova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Alexey S Ruzov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Alexander S Ermakov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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17
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Yue J, Lu Y, Sun Z, Guo Y, San León D, Pasin F, Zhao M. Methyltransferase-like (METTL) homologues participate in Nicotiana benthamiana antiviral responses. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2023; 18:2214760. [PMID: 37210738 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2023.2214760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferase (MTase) enzymes catalyze the addition of a methyl group to a variety of biological substrates. MTase-like (METTL) proteins are Class I MTases whose enzymatic activities contribute to the epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of multiple cellular processes. N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) is a common chemical modification of eukaryotic and viral RNA whose abundance is jointly regulated by MTases and METTLs, demethylases, and m6A binding proteins. m6A affects various cellular processes including RNA degradation, post-transcriptional processing, and antiviral immunity. Here, we used Nicotiana benthamiana and plum pox virus (PPV), an RNA virus of the Potyviridae family, to investigated the roles of MTases in plant-virus interaction. RNA sequencing analysis identified MTase transcripts that are differentially expressed during PPV infection; among these, accumulation of a METTL gene was significantly downregulated. Two N. benthamiana METTL transcripts (NbMETTL1 and NbMETTL2) were cloned and further characterized. Sequence and structural analyses of the two encoded proteins identified a conserved S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) binding domain, showing they are SAM-dependent MTases phylogenetically related to human METTL16 and Arabidopsis thaliana FIONA1. Overexpression of NbMETTL1 and NbMETTL2 caused a decrease of PPV accumulation. In sum, our results indicate that METTL homologues participate in plant antiviral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianying Yue
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yan Lu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhenqi Sun
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuqing Guo
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - David San León
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabio Pasin
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València (CSIC-UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Mingmin Zhao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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18
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Chen Y, Wang W, Zhang W, He M, Li Y, Qu G, Tong J. Emerging roles of biological m 6A proteins in regulating virus infection: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126934. [PMID: 37722640 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent chemical modifications of intracellular RNA, which recently emerging as a multifaceted effector of viral genomic RNA. As a dynamic process, three groups of biological proteins control the levels of m6A modification in eukaryocyte, designed as m6A writers, erasers, and readers. The m6A writers comprising of methyltransferases complex initiate the modification process. On the contrary, the m6A erasers ALKBH5 or FTO abolish the modification through three-step demethylation: m6A to N6-hydroxymethyl adenosine (hm6A), then hm6A to N6-methyladenosine (f6A), and finally f6A to adenosine. The known m6A readers include the YTH family and the hnRNP family. As m6A modification regulates RNA nuclear exportation, stability, and translation, m6A proteins commonly participate in virus infection by regulating viral genomic RNA synthesis. Moreover, m6A proteins establish molecular linkages between virus genome/viral encode proteins and host cells proteins via their multifunctional roles in cellular RNA metabolism. The m6A writers and erasers directly impact interferon expression and macrophage innate immune responses, facilitating them to act as anti-/pro-viral factors. The m6A readers enable to alter cell metabolism and stress granules (SGs) production to regulate virus-host interactions. Here, the latest progress of m6A proteins in regulating viral infection is reviewed. Demonstrating the roles of m6A proteins will enhance the understanding of epigenetic regulation of virus infection and stimulate the development of novel antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuran Chen
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Wuchao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Mei He
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yuming Li
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China; Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai'an 271000, China.
| | - Guosheng Qu
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| | - Jie Tong
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
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19
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Bi CF, Liu J, Hu XD, Yang LS, Zhang JF. Novel insights into the regulatory role of N6-methyladenosine methylation modified autophagy in sepsis. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:15676-15700. [PMID: 38112620 PMCID: PMC10781468 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. It is characterized by high morbidity and mortality and one of the major diseases that seriously hang over global human health. Autophagy is a crucial regulator in the complicated pathophysiological processes of sepsis. The activation of autophagy is known to be of great significance for protecting sepsis induced organ dysfunction. Recent research has demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a well-known post-transcriptional RNA modification that controls epigenetic and gene expression as well as a number of biological processes in sepsis. In addition, m6A affects the stability, export, splicing and translation of transcripts involved in the autophagic process. Although it has been suggested that m6A methylation regulates the biological metabolic processes of autophagy and is more frequently seen in the progression of sepsis pathogenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms of m6A-modified autophagy in sepsis have not been thoroughly elucidated. The present article fills this gap by providing an epigenetic review of the processes of m6A-modified autophagy in sepsis and its potential role in the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Fei Bi
- Department of Emergency Medical, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Medical Experimental Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Hu
- Department of Emergency Medical, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
| | - Li-Shan Yang
- Department of Emergency Medical, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
| | - Jun-Fei Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medical, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
- Medical Experimental Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, Ningxia, China
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20
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Wen T, Li T, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Pan H, Wang Y. The role of m6A epigenetic modifications in tumor coding and non-coding RNA processing. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:355. [PMID: 38102645 PMCID: PMC10722709 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01385-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifications of RNA significantly contribute to the regulatory processes in tumors and have, thus, received considerable attention. The m6A modification, known as N6-methyladenosine, is the predominant epigenetic alteration found in both eukaryotic mRNAs and ncRNAs. MAIN BODY m6A methylation modifications are dynamically reversible and are catalyzed, removed, and recognized by the complex of m6A methyltransferase (MTases), m6A demethylase, and m6A methyl recognition proteins (MRPs). Published evidence suggests that dysregulated m6A modification results in abnormal biological behavior of mature mRNA, leading to a variety of abnormal physiological processes, with profound implications for tumor development in particular. CONCLUSION Abnormal RNA processing due to dysregulation of m6A modification plays an important role in tumor pathogenesis and potential mechanisms of action. In this review, we comprehensively explored the mechanisms by which m6A modification regulates mRNA and ncRNA processing, focusing on their roles in tumors, and aiming to understand the important regulatory function of m6A modification, a key RNA epigenetic modification, in tumor cells, with a view to providing theoretical support for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongxuan Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Yeqiu Xu
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Yuanzhuang Zhang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Hai Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China.
| | - Yong Wang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China.
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21
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Jiang B, Zhong Z, Gu L, Zhang X, Wei J, Ye C, Lin G, Qu G, Xiang X, Wen C, Hummel M, Bailey-Serres J, Wang Q, He C, Wang X, Lin C. Light-induced LLPS of the CRY2/SPA1/FIO1 complex regulating mRNA methylation and chlorophyll homeostasis in Arabidopsis. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:2042-2058. [PMID: 38066290 PMCID: PMC10724061 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Light regulates chlorophyll homeostasis and photosynthesis via various molecular mechanisms in plants. The light regulation of transcription and protein stability of nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins have been extensively studied, but how light regulation of mRNA metabolism affects abundance of nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins and chlorophyll homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here we show that the blue light receptor cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) and the METTL16-type m6A writer FIONA1 (FIO1) regulate chlorophyll homeostasis in response to blue light. In contrast to the CRY2-mediated photo-condensation of the mRNA adenosine methylase (MTA), photoexcited CRY2 co-condenses FIO1 only in the presence of the CRY2-signalling protein SUPPRESSOR of PHYTOCHROME A (SPA1). CRY2 and SPA1 synergistically or additively activate the RNA methyltransferase activity of FIO1 in vitro, whereas CRY2 and FIO1, but not MTA, are required for the light-induced methylation and translation of the mRNAs encoding multiple chlorophyll homeostasis regulators in vivo. Our study demonstrates that the light-induced liquid-liquid phase separation of the photoreceptor/writer complexes is commonly involved in the regulation of photoresponsive changes of mRNA methylation, whereas the different photo-condensation mechanisms of the CRY/FIO1 and CRY/MTA complexes explain, at least partially, the writer-specific functions in plant photomorphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bochen Jiang
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Zhenhui Zhong
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lianfeng Gu
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xueyang Zhang
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiangbo Wei
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chang Ye
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Guifang Lin
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Gaoping Qu
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xian Xiang
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chenjin Wen
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Maureen Hummel
- Center for Plant Cell Biology and Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Julia Bailey-Serres
- Center for Plant Cell Biology and Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, China.
| | - Chentao Lin
- Basic Forestry and Plant Proteomics Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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22
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Zhang H, Yin M, Huang H, Zhao G, Lu M. METTL16 in human diseases: What should we do next? Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230856. [PMID: 38045858 PMCID: PMC10693013 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
METTL16 is a class-I methyltransferase that is responsible for depositing a vertebrate-conserved S-adenosylmethionine site. Since 2017, there has been a growing body of research focused on METTL16, particularly in the field of structural studies. However, the role of METTL16 in cell biogenesis and human diseases has not been extensively studied, with limited understanding of its function in disease pathology. Recent studies have highlighted the complex and sometimes contradictory role that METTL16 plays in various diseases. In this work, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the current research on METTL16 in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Tongji Aerospace City Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430000, China
| | - Mengqi Yin
- Department of Neurology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430000, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 665000, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Gongfang Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 665000, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Mingliang Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149, PR China
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23
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Nguyen TB, Miramontes R, Chillon-Marinas C, Maimon R, Vazquez-Sanchez S, Lau AL, McClure NR, England WE, Singha M, Stocksdale JT, Jang KH, Jung S, McKnight JI, Ho LN, Faull RLM, Steffan JS, Reidling JC, Jang C, Lee G, Cleveland DW, Lagier-Tourenne C, Spitale RC, Thompson LM. Aberrant splicing in Huntington's disease via disrupted TDP-43 activity accompanied by altered m6A RNA modification. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.31.565004. [PMID: 37961595 PMCID: PMC10635028 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.31.565004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the first exon of the HTT gene encoding huntingtin. Prior reports have established a correlation between CAG expanded HTT and altered gene expression. However, the mechanisms leading to disruption of RNA processing in HD remain unclear. Here, our analysis of the reported HTT protein interactome identifies interactions with known RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Total, long-read sequencing and targeted RASL-seq of RNAs from cortex and striatum of the HD mouse model R6/2 reveals increased exon skipping which is confirmed in Q150 and Q175 knock-in mice and in HD human brain. We identify the RBP TDP-43 and the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) writer protein methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) to be upstream regulators of exon skipping in HD. Along with this novel mechanistic insight, we observe decreased nuclear localization of TDP-43 and cytoplasmic accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43 in HD mice and human brain. In addition, TDP-43 co-localizes with HTT in human HD brain forming novel nuclear aggregate-like bodies distinct from mutant HTT inclusions or previously observed TDP-43 pathologies. Binding of TDP-43 onto RNAs encoding HD-associated differentially expressed and aberrantly spliced genes is decreased. Finally, m6A RNA modification is reduced on RNAs abnormally expressed in striatum from HD R6/2 mouse brain, including at clustered sites adjacent to TDP-43 binding sites. Our evidence supports TDP-43 loss of function coupled with altered m6A modification as a novel mechanism underlying alternative splicing/unannotated exon usage in HD and highlights the critical nature of TDP-43 function across multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
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24
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Hunter OV, Ruiz JC, Flaherty JN, Conrad NK. Functional analysis of 3'-UTR hairpins supports a two-tiered model for posttranscriptional regulation of MAT2A by METTL16. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:1725-1737. [PMID: 37567786 PMCID: PMC10578476 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079695.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is the methyl donor for nearly all cellular methylation events, so cells need to carefully control SAM levels. MAT2A encodes the only SAM synthetase expressed in the majority of human cells, and its 3'-UTR has six conserved regulatory hairpins (hp1-6) that can be methylated by the N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase METTL16. Hp1 begins 8 nt from the stop codon, whereas hp2-6 are clustered further downstream (∼800 nt). These hairpins have been proposed to regulate MAT2A mRNA levels in response to intracellular SAM levels by regulating intron detention of the last intron of MAT2A and by modulating the stability of the fully spliced mRNA. However, a dissection of these two posttranscriptional mechanisms has not been previously reported. Using a modular reporter system, we show that hp1 functions primarily when the detained intron is included in the reporter and when that intron has a suboptimal polypyrimidine tract. In contrast, the hp2-6 cluster modulates mRNA stability independent of the detained intron, although hp1 may make a minor contribution to the regulation of decay as well. Taken with previously published reports, these data support a two-tiered model for MAT2A posttranscriptional regulation by METTL16 through its interactions with hp1 and hp2-6. In the upstream tier, hp1 and METTL16 control MAT2A intron detention, whereas the second tier involves METTL16-dependent methylation of hp2-6 to control MAT2A mRNA stability. Thus, cells use a similar set of molecular factors to achieve considerable complexity in the posttranscriptional regulation of SAM homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Hunter
- Department of Microbiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Julio C Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Juliana N Flaherty
- Department of Microbiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Nicholas K Conrad
- Department of Microbiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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25
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Wang C, Xu J, Luo S, Huang J, Ji D, Qiu X, Song X, Cao X, Niu C, Zeng X, Zhang Z, Ma Y, Chen J, Chen D, Zhong X, Wei Y. Parental Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Bisphenol-A Bis(diphenyl phosphate) Impairs Vascular Development in Offspring through DNA/RNA Methylation-Dependent Transmission. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16176-16189. [PMID: 37847870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP) has been increasingly detected in indoor environmental and human samples. Little is known about its developmental toxicity, particularly the intergenerational effects of parental exposure. In this study, adult zebrafish were exposed to BDP at 30-30,000 ng/L for 28 days, with results showing that exposure did not cause a transfer of BDP or its metabolites to offspring. Vascular morphometric profiling revealed that parental exposure to BDP at 30 and 300 ng/L exerted significant effects on the vascular development of offspring, encompassing diverse alterations in multiple types of blood vessels. N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing of larvae in the 300 ng/L group revealed 378 hypomethylated and 350 hypermethylated m6A peaks that were identified in mRNA transcripts of genes crucial for vascular development, including the Notch/Vegf signaling pathway. Concomitant changes in 5 methylcytosine (m5C) DNA methylation and gene expression of m6A modulators (alkbh5, kiaa1429, and ythdf1) were observed in both parental gonads and offspring exposed to BDP. These results reveal that parental exposure to low concentrations of BDP caused offspring vascular disorders by interfering with DNA and RNA methylation, uncovering a unique DNA-RNA modification pattern in the intergenerational transmission of BDP's developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Jinkun Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shili Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiajing Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Di Ji
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xuelin Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xin Song
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaolian Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Congying Niu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiangyu Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhuyi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ya Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Junzhou Chen
- School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiali Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yanhong Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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26
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Li C, Liu J, Lyu Y, Ling S, Luo Y. METTL16 Inhibits the Malignant Progression of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer through the lncRNA MALAT1/ β-Catenin Axis. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2023; 2023:9952234. [PMID: 37927399 PMCID: PMC10625488 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9952234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) ranks third in the incidence of gynecological malignancies. m6A methylation as RNA modification plays a crucial role in the evolution, migration, and invasion of various tumors. However, the role of m6A methylation in ovarian cancer (OC) only recently has begun to be appreciated. Therefore, we used various bioinformatic methods to screen the public GEO datasets of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) for m6A methylation-related regulators. We identified methyltransferase 16 (METTL16) that was dramatically downregulated in EOC as such a regulator. We also identified metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a known target lncRNA of METTL16, in these five GEO datasets. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that compared with the normal ovarian tissues and cells, METTL16 was significantly downregulated, while lncRNA MALAT1 was significantly upregulated, in 30 EOC tissues of our own validation cohorts and EOC cell lines, revealing a negative correlation between METTL16 and lncRNA MALAT1. Moreover, our analysis unveiled a correlation between downregulated METTL16 and the known adverse prognostic factors of EOC patients in our own cohorts. The CCK-8, EdU, scratch wound healing, and transwell invasion assays revealed that METTL16 significantly suppressed the proliferating, migrating, and invading abilities of OC cells. The inhibitory effects of METTL16 on the in vivo tumor growth of EOC cells were measured by subcutaneous tumor formation assay in mice. Furthermore, the RIP, RNA stability assay, western blotting, and cytoimmunofluorescence staining showed that METTL16 hindered the growth of EOC cells through promoting the degradation of MALAT1 by binding that, in turn, upregulates β-catenin protein and promotes nuclear transport of β-catenin protein in EOC cells. This study suggests that METTL16 acts as a tumor suppressor gene of EOC by achieving its inhibitory function on the malignant progression of EOC through the METTL16/MALAT1/β-catenin axis that are new targets for EOC diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changshu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lyu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
| | - Shizhang Ling
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
- Interdisciplinary Research Center of Neuromedicine and Chemical Biology of Wannan Medical College and Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui 241001, China
| | - Yonghong Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
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27
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Imbriano C, Moresi V, Belluti S, Renzini A, Cavioli G, Maretti E, Molinari S. Epitranscriptomics as a New Layer of Regulation of Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle: Known Functions and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15161. [PMID: 37894843 PMCID: PMC10606696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics refers to post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via RNA modifications and editing that affect RNA functions. Many kinds of modifications of mRNA have been described, among which are N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), pseudouridine (Ψ), and 5-methylcytidine (m5C). They alter mRNA structure and consequently stability, localization and translation efficiency. Perturbation of the epitranscriptome is associated with human diseases, thus opening the opportunity for potential manipulations as a therapeutic approach. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the functional roles of epitranscriptomic marks in the skeletal muscle system, in particular in embryonic myogenesis, muscle cell differentiation and muscle homeostasis processes. Further, we explored high-throughput epitranscriptome sequencing data to identify RNA chemical modifications in muscle-specific genes and we discuss the possible functional role and the potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Viviana Moresi
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (CNR-NANOTEC), University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00181 Rome, Italy;
| | - Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Alessandra Renzini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgia Cavioli
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Eleonora Maretti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Susanna Molinari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
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28
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Zhu Z, Huo F, Zhang J, Shan H, Pei D. Crosstalk between m6A modification and alternative splicing during cancer progression. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1460. [PMID: 37850412 PMCID: PMC10583157 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes, is added by m6A methyltransferases, removed by m6A demethylases and recognised by m6A-binding proteins. This modification significantly influences carious facets of RNA metabolism and plays a pivotal role in cellular and physiological processes. Main body Pre-mRNA alternative splicing, a process that generates multiple splice isoforms from multi-exon genes, contributes significantly to the protein diversity in mammals. Moreover, the presence of crosstalk between m6A modification and alternative splicing, with m6A modifications on pre-mRNAs exerting regulatory control, has been established. The m6A modification modulates alternative splicing patterns by recruiting specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate alternative splicing or by directly influencing the interaction between RBPs and their target RNAs. Conversely, alternative splicing can impact the deposition or recognition of m6A modification on mRNAs. The integration of m6A modifications has expanded the scope of therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, while alternative splicing offers novel insights into the mechanistic role of m6A methylation in cancer initiation and progression. Conclusion This review aims to highlight the biological functions of alternative splicing of m6A modification machinery and its implications in tumourigenesis. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical relevance of understanding m6A-dependent alternative splicing in tumour therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi‐Man Zhu
- Department of PathologyXuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Fu‐Chun Huo
- Department of PathologyXuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Respiratory MedicineSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Hong‐Jian Shan
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Dong‐Sheng Pei
- Department of PathologyXuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuChina
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Shen A, Hencel K, Parker MT, Scott R, Skukan R, Adesina AS, Metheringham CL, Miska EA, Nam Y, Haerty W, Simpson GG, Akay A. U6 snRNA m6A modification is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans mRNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.16.558044. [PMID: 37745402 PMCID: PMC10516052 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.16.558044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
pre-mRNA splicing is a critical feature of eukaryotic gene expression. Many eukaryotes use cis-splicing to remove intronic sequences from pre-mRNAs. In addition to cis-splicing, many organisms use trans-splicing to replace the 5' ends of mRNAs with a non-coding spliced-leader RNA. Both cis- and trans-splicing rely on accurately recognising splice site sequences by spliceosomal U snRNAs and associated proteins. Spliceosomal snRNAs carry multiple RNA modifications with the potential to affect different stages of pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we show that m6A modification of U6 snRNA A43 by the RNA methyltransferase METT-10 is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans pre-mRNAs. The absence of U6 snRNA m6A modification primarily leads to alternative splicing at 5' splice sites. Furthermore, weaker 5' splice site recognition by the unmodified U6 snRNA A43 affects splicing at 3' splice sites. U6 snRNA m6A43 and the splicing factor SNRNP27K function to recognise an overlapping set of 5' splice sites with an adenosine at +4 position. Finally, we show that U6 snRNA m6A43 is required for efficient SL trans-splicing at weak 3' trans-splice sites. We conclude that the U6 snRNA m6A modification is important for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Shen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
| | - Katarzyna Hencel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Robyn Scott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberta Skukan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
| | | | | | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Alper Akay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
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Yu L, Lu J, Xie N, Fang L, Chen S, Wu Y, Wang X, Li B. Suppression of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in PDAC via METTL16-mediated N6-methyladenosine Modification of DVL2. J Cancer 2023; 14:2964-2977. [PMID: 37859814 PMCID: PMC10583588 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a formidable cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and has witnessed a more than twofold increase in incidence over the last 25 years. The most frequently occurring form of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), accounting for the majority of pancreatic cancer cases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant transcript modification, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Despite this, the functional role of methyltransferase-like 16 (METTL16), a critical m6A methyltransferase, in PDAC remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that METTL16 expression is significantly diminished in PDAC, rendering it a promising prognostic indicator. Strikingly, both in vitro and in vivo assays revealed accelerated metastasis and invasion of PDAC cells upon METTL16 knockdown, while overexpression of METTL16 exerted an opposite effect. Mechanistically, METTL16 regulates DVL2 expression by suppressing its translation via m6A modification, thereby regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling., Our results unveil the downregulation of METTL16 as a concomitant increase in DVL2 levels via m6A modification promoting the progression of PDAC. Thus, we propose METTL16 as a novel therapeutic candidate for targeted PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanting Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jiawei Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Ni Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Lutong Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui 230022, China
| | - Sumin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiading Branch of Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201803, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xingpeng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Baiwen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
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31
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Breger K, Kunkler CN, O'Leary NJ, Hulewicz JP, Brown JA. Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1810. [PMID: 37674370 PMCID: PMC10915109 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6 A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA-protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6 A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6 A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6 A: methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc-finger CCHC-domain-containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6 A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM-binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6 A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6 A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6 A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6 A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6 A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6 A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6 A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Breger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Charlotte N Kunkler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan J O'Leary
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jacob P Hulewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica A Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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32
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Zhang J, Qiu T, Yao X, Sun X. Insights into the role of N6-methyladenosine in ferroptosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115192. [PMID: 37487443 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications of eukaryotic RNA. m6A methylation is widely associated with many biological processes through the modification of RNA metabolism and is associated with multiple disease states. As a newly discovered regulatory cell death in recent years, ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation. Emerging evidence supports that ferroptosis has a significant role in the progression of diverse diseases. Besides, the key regulators of ferroptosis exhibit aberrant m6A levels under different pathological conditions. However, the correlation between m6A-modified ferroptosis and multiple diseases has not been well elucidated. In this review, we summarized the functions of m6A in ferroptosis, which are associated with the initiation and progression of multiple diseases. Investigating the role of m6A in ferroptosis might both facilitate a better understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases and provide new opportunities for targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Zhang
- Occupational and Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, PR China.
| | - Tianming Qiu
- Occupational and Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, PR China.
| | - Xiaofeng Yao
- Occupational and Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, PR China.
| | - Xiance Sun
- Occupational and Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, PR China; Global Health Research Center, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, PR China.
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33
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Zhen X, Zhao W, Wang J, Li L, He Y, Zhang J, Li C, Zhang S, Huang J, Luo B, Gao Y. Genetic Variations Within METTL16 and Susceptibility to Sudden Cardiac Death in Chinese Populations With Coronary Artery Disease. Am J Cardiol 2023; 202:90-99. [PMID: 37423176 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the prevention of coronary heart disease, the mortality rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains high, which has become a substantial public health issue. Methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16), as a newly discovered m6A methyltransferase, may be related to cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, a 6-base-pair insertion/deletion (del) polymorphism (rs58928048) in the METTL16 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) region was chosen as a candidate variant based on the findings of systematic screening. Then, the association between rs58928048 and susceptibility to SCD originating from coronary artery disease (SCD-CAD) in the Chinese population was investigated by conducting a case-control study that included 210 SCD-CAD cases and 644 matched healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that the del allele of rs58928048 significantly reduced the SCD risk (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.87, p = 0.00177). Genotype-phenotype correlation studies in human cardiac tissue samples demonstrated that the lower messenger RNA and protein expression levels of METTL16 were associated with the del allele of rs58928048. In the dual-luciferase activity assay, the del/del genotype exhibited lower transcriptional competence. Further bioinformatic analysis showed that the rs58928048 del variant may create transcription factor binding sites. Finally, pyrosequencing showed that the genotype of rs58928048 was related to the methylation status of the 3'UTR region of METTL16. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that rs58928048 may affect the methylation status of the 3'UTR region of METTL16 and subsequently affect its transcriptional activity thus as a potential genetic risk marker for SCD-CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Zhen
- Departments of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhao
- Departments of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lijuan Li
- Departments of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan He
- Departments of Epidemiology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yuzhen Gao
- Departments of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Wu S, Xie H, Su Y, Jia X, Mi Y, Jia Y, Ying H. The landscape of implantation and placentation: deciphering the function of dynamic RNA methylation at the maternal-fetal interface. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1205408. [PMID: 37720526 PMCID: PMC10499623 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1205408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal-fetal interface is defined as the interface between maternal tissue and sections of the fetus in close contact. RNA methylation modifications are the most frequent kind of RNA alterations. It is effective throughout both normal and pathological implantation and placentation during pregnancy. By influencing early embryo development, embryo implantation, endometrium receptivity, immune microenvironment, as well as some implantation and placentation-related disorders like miscarriage and preeclampsia, it is essential for the establishment of the maternal-fetal interface. Our review focuses on the role of dynamic RNA methylation at the maternal-fetal interface, which has received little attention thus far. It has given the mechanistic underpinnings for both normal and abnormal implantation and placentation and could eventually provide an entirely novel approach to treating related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyu Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Xie
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Su
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinrui Jia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yabing Mi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanhui Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Ying
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Wang A, Sun Y, Wang X, Yan Z, Wang D, Zeng L, Lu Q. m 6A methyltransferase METTL16 mediates immune evasion of colorectal cancer cells via epigenetically regulating PD-L1 expression. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:8444-8457. [PMID: 37647025 PMCID: PMC10496997 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has dramatically changed the therapeutic area of cancers. A great number of patients with CRC exhibit poor response rate to ICI treatment. N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) is closely correlated with the initiation and progression of cancers. To explore the role of methyltransferase-like 16 (METTL16) in CRC treatment. METHODS Clinical samples and different CRC cell lines were collected. The expression of METTL16 and PD-L1 was determined by qPCR, IHC. Ectopic expression of METTL16 was performed in CRC cells. A co-culture system was established using CRC cells and T cells to measure the immune evasion. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were examined by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, Transwell, and wound healing assay, respectively. The N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) modification of PD-L1 by METTL16 was investigated by methylated RIP (MeRIP) and RNA stability experiment. In vivo xenograft model was established to measure the effects of METTL16 on CRC growth. RESULTS METTL16 was decreased and PD-L1 was increased in CRC tissues and cell lines. METTL16 enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted CRC tumor growth in vivo. METTL16 induced m6A modification and decreased the stability of METTL16 RNA, leading to the suppression of METTL16 level. METTL16 overexpression in CRC cells induced decreased portion of PD-1 positive T cells. Overexpression of METTL16 and inhibition of PD-1 synergistically suppressed in vivo growth of CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our work identified the METTL16/PD-L1/PD-1 regulatory axis in CRC development and immune evasion, which represented a promising target for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailei Wang
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Yingjie Sun
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Xince Wang
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Zhaofei Yan
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Li Zeng
- Department of Anorectal, Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Qingge Lu
- Tangshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, China
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Yan C, Xiong J, Zhou Z, Li Q, Gao C, Zhang M, Yu L, Li J, Hu MM, Zhang CS, Cai C, Zhang H, Zhang J. A cleaved METTL3 potentiates the METTL3-WTAP interaction and breast cancer progression. eLife 2023; 12:RP87283. [PMID: 37589705 PMCID: PMC10435237 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of RNA by the methyltransferase complex (MTC), with core components including METTL3-METTL14 heterodimers and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), contributes to breast tumorigenesis, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we identify a novel cleaved form METTL3a (residues 239-580 of METTL3). We find that METTL3a is required for the METTL3-WTAP interaction, RNA m6A deposition, as well as cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, we find that METTL3a is essential for the METTL3-METTL3 interaction, which is a prerequisite step for recruitment of WTAP in MTC. Analysis of m6A sequencing data shows that depletion of METTL3a globally disrupts m6A deposition, and METTL3a mediates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation via m6A-mediated suppression of TMEM127 expression. Moreover, we find that METTL3 cleavage is mediated by proteasome in an mTOR-dependent manner, revealing positive regulatory feedback between METTL3a and mTOR signaling. Our findings reveal METTL3a as an important component of MTC, and suggest the METTL3a-mTOR axis as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojun Yan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jingjing Xiong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Zirui Zhou
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Qifang Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chuan Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Mengyao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liya Yu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jinpeng Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Ming-Ming Hu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chen-Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network School of Life Sciences, Xiamen UniversityFujianChina
| | - Cheguo Cai
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Haojian Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
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Qi YN, Liu Z, Hong LL, Li P, Ling ZQ. Methyltransferase-like proteins in cancer biology and potential therapeutic targeting. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:89. [PMID: 37533128 PMCID: PMC10394802 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modification has recently become a significant process of gene regulation, and the methyltransferase-like (METTL) family of proteins plays a critical role in RNA modification, methylating various types of RNAs, including mRNA, tRNA, microRNA, rRNA, and mitochondrial RNAs. METTL proteins consist of a unique seven-beta-strand domain, which binds to the methyl donor SAM to catalyze methyl transfer. The most typical family member METTL3/METTL14 forms a methyltransferase complex involved in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RNA, regulating tumor proliferation, metastasis and invasion, immunotherapy resistance, and metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells. METTL1, METTL4, METTL5, and METTL16 have also been recently identified to have some regulatory ability in tumorigenesis, and the rest of the METTL family members rely on their methyltransferase activity for methylation of different nucleotides, proteins, and small molecules, which regulate translation and affect processes such as cell differentiation and development. Herein, we summarize the literature on METTLs in the last three years to elucidate their roles in human cancers and provide a theoretical basis for their future use as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Qi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P.R. China
| | - Zhu Liu
- Zhejiang Cancer Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, No.1 Banshan East Rd., Gongshu District, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Lian-Lian Hong
- Zhejiang Cancer Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, No.1 Banshan East Rd., Gongshu District, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Pei Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P.R. China.
| | - Zhi-Qiang Ling
- Zhejiang Cancer Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, No.1 Banshan East Rd., Gongshu District, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
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Talic ES, Wooten A, Zeczycki TN, Mansfield KD. RNA Methyltransferase METTL16's Protein Domains Have Differential Functional Effects on Cell Processes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5460-5480. [PMID: 37504262 PMCID: PMC10378215 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
METTL16, a human m6A RNA methyltransferase, is currently known for its modification of U6 and MAT2A RNAs. Several studies have identified additional RNAs to which METTL16 binds, however whether METTL16 modifies these RNAs is still in question. Moreover, a recent study determined that METTL16 contains more than one RNA-binding domain, leaving the importance of each individual RNA-binding domain unknown. Here we examined the effects of mutating the METTL16 protein in certain domains on overall cell processes. We chose to mutate the N-terminal RNA-binding domain, the methyltransferase domain, and the C-terminal RNA-binding domain. With these mutants, we identified changes in RNA-binding ability, protein and RNA expression, cell cycle phase occupancy, and proliferation. From the resulting changes in RNA and protein expression, we saw effects on cell cycle, metabolism, intracellular transport, and RNA processing pathways, which varied between the METTL16 mutant lines. We also saw significant effects on the G1 and S phase occupancy times and proliferative ability with some but not all the mutants. We have therefore concluded that while METTL16 may or may not m6A-modify all RNAs it binds, its binding (or lack of) has a significant outcome on a variety of cell processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Talic
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Ashley Wooten
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Tonya N Zeczycki
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Kyle D Mansfield
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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Xiong Q, Zhang Y. Small RNA modifications: regulatory molecules and potential applications. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:64. [PMID: 37349851 PMCID: PMC10286502 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01466-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (also referred to as small noncoding RNAs, sncRNA) are defined as polymeric ribonucleic acid molecules that are less than 200 nucleotides in length and serve a variety of essential functions within cells. Small RNA species include microRNA (miRNA), PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), etc. Current evidence suggest that small RNAs can also have diverse modifications to their nucleotide composition that affect their stability as well as their capacity for nuclear export, and these modifications are relevant to their capacity to drive molecular signaling processes relevant to biogenesis, cell proliferation and differentiation. In this review, we highlight the molecular characteristics and cellular functions of small RNA and their modifications, as well as current techniques for their reliable detection. We also discuss how small RNA modifications may be relevant to the clinical applications for the diagnosis and treatment of human health conditions such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunli Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaguang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Wei W, Zhang ZY, Shi B, Cai Y, Zhang HS, Sun CL, Fei YF, Zhong W, Zhang S, Wang C, He B, Jiang GM, Wang H. METTL16 promotes glycolytic metabolism reprogramming and colorectal cancer progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:151. [PMID: 37340443 PMCID: PMC10280857 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02732-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycolysis is the key hallmark of cancer and maintains malignant tumor initiation and progression. The role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in glycolysis is largely unknown. This study explored the biological function of m6A methyltransferase METTL16 in glycolytic metabolism and revealed a new mechanism for the progression of Colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS The expression and prognostic value of METTL16 was evaluated using bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. The biological functions of METTL16 in CRC progression was analyzed in vivo and in vitro. Glycolytic metabolism assays were used to verify the biological function of METTL16 and Suppressor of glucose by autophagy (SOGA1). The protein/RNA stability, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and RNA pull-down assays were used to explore the potential molecular mechanisms. RESULTS SOGA1 is a direct downstream target of METTL16 and involved in METTL16 mediated glycolysis and CRC progression. METTL16 significantly enhances SOGA1 expression and mRNA stability via binding the "reader" protein insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). Subsequently, SOGA1 promotes AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) complex ubiquitination, inhibits its expression and phosphorylation, thus upregulates pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), a crucial protein controlling glucose metabolism. Moreover, Yin Yang 1 (YY1) can transcriptionally inhibit the expression of METTL16 in CRC cells by directly binding to its promoter. Clinical data showed that METTL16 expression is positively correlated to SOGA1 and PDK4, and is associated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that METTL16/SOGA1/PDK4 axis might be promising therapeutic targets for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bin Shi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yike Cai
- Center for Certification and Evaluation, Guangdong Drug Administration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hou-Shun Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chun-Lei Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yun-Fei Fei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Bing He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Guan-Min Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Core Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Hefei, China.
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Wang Y, Wang J, Yan Z, Liu S, Xu W. Microenvironment modulation by key regulators of RNA N6-methyladenosine modification in respiratory allergic diseases. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:210. [PMID: 37328853 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are considered post-transcriptional regulators that affect several biological functions, and their role in immunity, in particular, is emerging. However, the role of m6A regulators in respiratory allergic diseases remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of key m6A regulators in mediating respiratory allergic diseases and immune microenvironment infiltration characteristics. METHODS We downloaded gene expression profiles of respiratory allergies from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and we performed hierarchical clustering, difference analysis, and construction of predictive models to identify hub m6A regulators that affect respiratory allergies. Next, we investigate the underlying biological mechanisms of key m6A regulators by performing PPI network analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune microenvironment infiltration analysis. In addition, we performed a drug sensitivity analysis on the key m6A regulator, hoping to be able to provide some implications for clinical medication. RESULTS In this study, we identified four hub m6A regulators that affect the respiratory allergy and investigated the underlying biological mechanisms. In addition, studies on the characteristics of immune microenvironment infiltration revealed that the expression of METTL14, METTL16, and RBM15B correlated with the infiltration of the mast and Th2 cells in respiratory allergy, and METTL16 expression was found to be significantly negatively correlated with macrophages for the first time (R = -0.53, P < 0.01). Finally, a key m6A regulator, METTL14, was screened by combining multiple algorithms. In addition, by performing a drug sensitivity analysis on METTL14, we hypothesized that it may play an important role in the improvement of allergic symptoms in the upper and lower airways with topical nasal glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that m6A regulators, particularly METTL14, play a crucial role in the development of respiratory allergic diseases and the infiltration of immune cells. These results may provide insight into the mechanism of action of methylprednisolone in treating respiratory allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxi Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhanfeng Yan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Siming Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Zhang L, Xu X, Su X. Modifications of noncoding RNAs in cancer and their therapeutic implications. Cell Signal 2023:110726. [PMID: 37230201 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In the last 50 years, over 150 various chemical modifications on RNA molecules, including mRNAs, rRNAs, tRNAs, and other noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have been identified and characterized. These RNA modifications regulate RNA biogenesis and biological functions and are widely involved in various physiological processes and diseases, including cancer. In recent decades, broad interest has arisen in the epigenetic modification of ncRNAs due to the increased knowledge of the critical roles of ncRNAs in cancer. In this review, we summarize the various modifications of ncRNAs and highlight their roles in cancer initiation and progression. In particular, we discuss the potential of RNA modifications as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xiaonan Xu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612-9497, USA
| | - Xiulan Su
- Clinical Medical Research Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia, China.
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Yang J, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Yu X, Shi S. Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:210. [PMID: 37217462 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over decades, researchers have focused on the epigenetic control of DNA-templated processes. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA modification, and noncoding RNAs modulate many biological processes that are crucial to the development of cancers. Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programs. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mechanisms of epigenetic modification are dysregulated in human cancers and might be excellent targets for tumor treatment. Epigenetics has also been shown to influence tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses. Thus, the development and application of epigenetic therapy and cancer immunotherapy and their combinations may have important implications for cancer treatment. Here, we present an up-to-date and thorough description of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune cell responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how epigenetics influence immune cells internally to modify the TME. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the complex interplay between epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop therapeutics that combine thereof is challenging but could yield significant benefits. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in understanding how epigenetics impact immune responses in the TME, so that better cancer immunotherapies can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang X, Cai H, Xu H, Dong S, Ma H. Critical roles of m 6A methylation in cardiovascular diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1187514. [PMID: 37273867 PMCID: PMC10235536 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1187514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been established as a major cause of mortality globally. However, the exact pathogenesis remains obscure. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most common epigenetic modification on mRNAs regulated by methyltransferase complexes (writers), demethylase transferases (erasers) and binding proteins (readers). It is now understood that m6A is a major player in physiological and pathological cardiac processes. m6A methylation are potentially involved in many mechanisms, for instance, regulation of calcium homeostasis, endothelial function, different forms of cell death, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, macrophage response and inflammation. In this review, we will summarize the molecular functions of m6A enzymes. We mainly focus on m6A-associated mechanisms and functions in CVDs, especially in heart failure and ischemia heart disease. We will also discuss the potential application and clinical transformation of m6A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- The Public Laboratory Platform of the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - He Cai
- The Cardiovascular Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Lequn Branch, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Su Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Haichun Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Xu Y, Zhang Y, Luo Y, Qiu G, Lu J, He M, Wang Y. Novel insights into the METTL3-METTL14 complex in musculoskeletal diseases. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:170. [PMID: 37202385 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01435-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, catalyzed by methyltransferase complexes (MTCs), plays many roles in multifaceted biological activities. As the most important subunit of MTCs, the METTL3-METTL14 complex is reported to be the initial factor that catalyzes the methylation of adenosines. Recently, accumulating evidence has indicated that the METTL3-METTL14 complex plays a key role in musculoskeletal diseases in an m6A-dependent or -independent manner. Although the functions of m6A modifications in a variety of musculoskeletal diseases have been widely recognized, the critical role of the METTL3-METTL14 complex in certain musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteosarcoma, has not been systematically revealed. In the current review, the structure, mechanisms and functions of the METTL3-METTL14 complex and the mechanisms and functions of its downstream pathways in the aforementioned musculoskeletal diseases are categorized and summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqiu Xu
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110024, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhuang Zhang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110024, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinzhou Luo
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110024, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanzhen Qiu
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110024, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Shenyang Fourth People's Hospital, China Medical University, 110031, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming He
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Wang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110024, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Xie F, Zheng Y, Fu W, Chi B, Wang X, Zhang J, Gu J, Yin J, Zhou Q, Guo S, Cai L, Yang J, Liu S, Wang H. The m6A methyltransferase METTL16 inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer cells via the p21 signaling pathway. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1138238. [PMID: 37182151 PMCID: PMC10166879 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1138238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Many studies have reported that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a critical role in the epigenetic regulation of organisms and especially in the pathogenesis of malignant diseases. However, m6A research has mainly focused on methyltransferase activity mediated by METTL3, and few studies have focused on METTL16. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of METTL16, which mediates m6A modification, and its role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell proliferation. Methods Clinicopathologic and survival data were retrospectively collected from 175 PDAC patients from multiple clinical centers to detect the expression of METTL16. CCK-8, cell cycle, EdU and xenograft mouse model experiments were used to evaluate the proliferation effect of METTL16. Potential downstream pathways and mechanisms were explored via RNA sequencing, m6A sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses. Regulatory mechanisms were studied through methyltransferase inhibition, RIP, MeRIP‒qPCR assays. Results We found that METTL16 expression was markedly downregulated in PDAC, and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that METTL16 was a protective factor for PDAC patients. We also demonstrated that METTL16 overexpression inhibited PDAC cell proliferation. Furthermore, we identified a METTL16-p21 signaling axis, with downregulation of METTL16 resulting in inhibition of CDKN1A (p21). Additionally, METTL16 silencing and overexpression experiments highlighted m6A modification alterations in PDAC. Conclusions METTL16 plays a tumor-suppressive role and suppresses PDAC cell proliferation through the p21 pathway by mediating m6A modification. METTL16 may be a novel marker of PDAC carcinogenesis and target for the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuming Xie
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chongqing, China
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Zheng
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chongqing, China
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Bojing Chi
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xianxing Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Jianyou Gu
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Jingyang Yin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chongqing, China
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Shixiang Guo
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Songsong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hainan Hospital of People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Huaizhi Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chongqing, China
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS Chongqing), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
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Zhao Y, Luo Q, Wang W, Geng S, Sun Y, Xu T. METTL16, an evolutionarily conserved m6A methyltransferase member, inhibits the antiviral immune response of miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 145:104713. [PMID: 37085020 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferase like-16 (METTL16) is an m6A RNA methylation transferase that is known to methylate U6 snRNA and pre-mRNA of S-adenosylmethionine synthase but has been poorly studied in fish. In this study, METTL16 was identified in miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy). We first performed bioinformatics analysis of the miiuy croaker METTL16 (mmiMETTL16). MmiMETTL16 and other vertebrates METTL16 have a relatively conserved MTD structural domain and gene structure, suggesting that their methylase activity may also be conservative. In healthy miiuy croaker, mmiMETTL16 was commonly expressed in the tested tissues. Expression of mmiMETTL16 in kidney, liver, and spleen tissues was significantly increased after poly(I:C) stimulation. Consistently, mmiMETTL16 was sensitive to poly(I:C) stimulation in miiuy croaker kidney cell (MKC), suggesting that METTL16 might participate in antiviral immunity. For further functional experiments, immunofluorescence of mmiMETTL16 presents in the nucleus in kidney cells. In addition, the overexpression of mmiMETTL16 could significantly increase the overall m6A level of MKC cells, which shows that the function of METTL16 as methyltransferase is conservative in miiuy croaker. Last, mmiMETTL16 can inhibit the expression of TNF-α, IFN-1, Mx1, and ISG15, suggesting that mmiMETTL16 can suppress the immune response caused by viral stimulation. In summary, studies on mmiMETTL16 will contribute to future studies on the role of METTL16 and potential mechanisms of the m6A regulation network in the teleost immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Luo
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wansu Wang
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shang Geng
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuena Sun
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, China.
| | - Tianjun Xu
- Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Laboratory of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
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Ju J, Aoyama T, Yashiro Y, Yamashita S, Kuroyanagi H, Tomita K. Structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans m6A methyltransferase METT10 that regulates SAM homeostasis. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:2434-2446. [PMID: 36794723 PMCID: PMC10018337 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans, the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification by METT10, at the 3'-splice sites in S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) synthetase (sams) precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA), inhibits sams pre-mRNA splicing, promotes alternative splicing coupled with nonsense-mediated decay of the pre-mRNAs, and thereby maintains the cellular SAM level. Here, we present structural and functional analyses of C. elegans METT10. The structure of the N-terminal methyltransferase domain of METT10 is homologous to that of human METTL16, which installs the m6A modification in the 3'-UTR hairpins of methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT2A) pre-mRNA and regulates the MAT2A pre-mRNA splicing/stability and SAM homeostasis. Our biochemical analysis suggested that C. elegans METT10 recognizes the specific structural features of RNA surrounding the 3'-splice sites of sams pre-mRNAs, and shares a similar substrate RNA recognition mechanism with human METTL16. C. elegans METT10 also possesses a previously unrecognized functional C-terminal RNA-binding domain, kinase associated 1 (KA-1), which corresponds to the vertebrate-conserved region (VCR) of human METTL16. As in human METTL16, the KA-1 domain of C. elegans METT10 facilitates the m6A modification of the 3'-splice sites of sams pre-mRNAs. These results suggest the well-conserved mechanisms for the m6A modification of substrate RNAs between Homo sapiens and C. elegans, despite their different regulation mechanisms for SAM homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Ju
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Aoyama
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yuka Yashiro
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Seisuke Yamashita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hidehito Kuroyanagi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0125, Japan
| | - Kozo Tomita
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 471 36 3611; Fax: +81 471 36 3611;
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49
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ALKBH5 Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation in Prostate Cancer through KLF4/TERT Signaling. Andrologia 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/8754940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as a reversible chemical modification of RNA, is a new type of posttranscriptional gene regulation, which plays an important role in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis, and is also a research hotspot in epigenetic transcriptomics in recent years. The purpose of this study was to discuss the action mechanism of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in the occurrence of prostate cancer (PCa). We found that ALKBH5 was lowly expressed in PCa, and the decreased expression of ALKBH5 was responsible for the poor prognosis of prostate carcinomas. Moreover, ALKBH5 downregulated the expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) by reducing its mRNA stability, which reduced the transcriptional activity of KLF4 on the downstream target telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and decreased TERT expression and telomerase activity, eventually inhibiting PCa cell growth. The findings of this study reveal the action mechanism of ALKBH5 in PCa from the perspective of epitranscriptomics, which would provide new ideas for the prevention of PCa.
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50
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Jin Z, MacPherson K, Liu Z, Vu LP. RNA modifications in hematological malignancies. Int J Hematol 2023; 117:807-820. [PMID: 36929506 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03576-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
RNA modifications play an important role in various cancers including blood cancers by controlling gene expression programs critical for survival, proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells. While hundreds of RNA modifications have been identified, many have not been functionally characterized. With development of enabling technologies to identify and map RNA modifications, tremendous advancement has been made in our understanding of the biological functions of these molecular markers in diverse cellular contexts. In the last 5 years, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal mRNA modification, has been extensively implicated in many facets of leukemogenesis. Other types of RNA modifications are also involved in the regulation of cell fate decisions and tumorigenesis. Here, we summarize existing knowledge and recent discoveries regarding the role of RNA modifications in leukemia. We choose to highlight cutting-edge techniques to characterize and profile RNA modifications while discussing critical functions of key modifiers and regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies and touch on therapeutic strategies targeting RNA modifications. These important advancements in the field will continue to foster a strong foundation for the development of innovative treatments for hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jin
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kyle MacPherson
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Zongmin Liu
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ly P Vu
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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