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Zhang L, Mao Z, Yin K, Wang S. Review of METTL3 in colorectal cancer: From mechanisms to the therapeutic potential. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 277:134212. [PMID: 39069066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134212] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant modification in mRNAs, affects the fate of the modified RNAs at the post-transcriptional level and participants in various biological and pathological processes. Increasing evidence shows that m6A modification plays a role in the progression of many malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). As the only catalytic subunit in methyltransferase complex, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is essential to the performance of m6A modification. It has been found that METTL3 is associated with the prognosis of CRC and significantly influences various aspects of CRC, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, metastasis, metabolism, tumor microcirculation, tumor microenvironment, and drug resistance. The relationship between METTL3 and gut-microbiota is also involved into the progression of CRC. Furthermore, METTL3 might be a viable target for CRC treatment to prolong survival. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the function of METTL3 in CRC and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We aim to deepen understanding and offer new ideas for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexuan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhenwei Mao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Kai Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China.
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2
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Koch J, Lyko F. Refining the role of N 6-methyladenosine in cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 88:102242. [PMID: 39111230 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification of eukaryotic mRNAs. m6A affects the fate of its targets in all aspects of the mRNA life cycle and has important roles in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. Aberrant m6A patterns have been observed in numerous cancers and appear closely linked to oncogenic phenotypes. However, most studies relied on antibody-dependent modification detection, which is known to suffer from important limitations. Novel, antibody-independent, quantitative approaches will be critical to investigate changes in the m6A landscape of cancers. Furthermore, pharmaceutical targeting of the m6A writer Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) has demonstrated the potential to modulate cancer cell phenotypes. However, the enzyme also appears to be essential for the viability of healthy cells. Further refinement of therapeutic strategies is therefore needed to fully realize the potential of m6A-related cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Koch
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Lyko
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Zhang C, Wang S, Lu X, Zhong W, Tang Y, Huang W, Wu F, Wang X, Wei W, Tang H. POP1 Facilitates Proliferation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via m6A-Dependent Degradation of CDKN1A mRNA. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0472. [PMID: 39268503 PMCID: PMC11391272 DOI: 10.34133/research.0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is currently the worst prognostic subtype of breast cancer, and there is no effective treatment other than chemotherapy. Processing of precursors 1 (POP1) is the most substantially up-regulated RNA-binding protein (RBP) in TNBC. However, the role of POP1 in TNBC remains clarified. A series of molecular biological experiments in vitro and in vivo and clinical correlation analyses were conducted to clarify the biological function and regulatory mechanism of POP1 in TNBC. Here, we identified that POP1 is significantly up-regulated in TNBC and associated with poor prognosis. We further demonstrate that POP1 promotes the cell cycle and proliferation of TNBC in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, POP1 directly binds to the coding sequence (CDS) region of CDKN1A mRNA and degrades it. The degradation process depends on the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification at the 497th site of CDKN1A and the recognition of this modification by YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2). Moreover, the m6A inhibitor STM2457 potently impaired the proliferation of POP1-overexpressed TNBC cells and improved the sensitivity to paclitaxel. In summary, our findings reveal the pivotal role of POP1 in promoting TNBC proliferation by degrading the mRNA of CDKN1A and that inhibition of m6A with STM2457 is a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sifen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuqing Lu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, ZhongShan, China
| | - Wenjing Zhong
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Yunyun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Kangda Vocational Technical College, Guangzhou 510700, China
| | - Weiling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengjia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiumei Wang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010020, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Weidong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Qu Y, Gao N, Zhang S, Gao L, He B, Wang C, Gong C, Shi Q, Li Z, Yang S, Xiao Y. Role of N6-methyladenosine RNA modification in cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e715. [PMID: 39252821 PMCID: PMC11381670 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.715] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification of RNA in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have shown that m6A is pivotal in diverse diseases especially cancer. m6A corelates with the initiation, progression, resistance, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. However, despite these insights, a comprehensive understanding of its specific roles and mechanisms within the complex landscape of cancer is still elusive. This review begins by outlining the key regulatory proteins of m6A modification and their posttranslational modifications (PTMs), as well as the role in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activity within cancer cells. Additionally, it highlights that m6A modifications impact cancer progression by modulating programmed cell death mechanisms and affecting the tumor microenvironment through various cancer-associated immune cells. Furthermore, the review discusses how microorganisms can induce enduring epigenetic changes and oncogenic effect in microorganism-associated cancers by altering m6A modifications. Last, it delves into the role of m6A modification in cancer immunotherapy, encompassing RNA therapy, immune checkpoint blockade, cytokine therapy, adoptive cell transfer therapy, and direct targeting of m6A regulators. Overall, this review clarifies the multifaceted role of m6A modification in cancer and explores targeted therapies aimed at manipulating m6A modification, aiming to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qu
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Nannan Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Limin Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Bing He
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Chunli Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Qiuyue Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning Guangxi China
| | - Zhibin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Shiming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
| | - Yufeng Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China
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5
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Pan Y, Feng H, Zhou J, Zhang W, Liu Y, Zheng J, Wang J, Gao S, Li Y. m 6A modification enhances the stability of CDC25A promotes tumorigenicity of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma via cell cycle. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:4209-4221. [PMID: 39247830 PMCID: PMC11379066 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.98535] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification and its regulators play critical roles in human cancers, but their functions and regulatory mechanisms in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) remain unclear. Here, we identified that IGF2BP3 is the most significantly up-regulated m6A regulator in AEG tumors versus paired normal adjacent tissues from the expression profile of m6A regulators in a large cohort of AEG patients. Silencing IGF2BP3 inhibits AEG progression in vitro and in vivo. By profiling transcriptome-wide targets of IGF2BP3 and the m6A methylome in AEG, we found that IGF2BP3-mediated stabilization and enhanced expression of m6A-modified targets, including targets of the cell cycle pathway, such as CDC25A, CDK4, and E2F1, are critical for AEG progression. Mechanistically, the increased m6A modification of CDC25A accelerates the G1-S transition. Clinically, up-regulated IGF2BP3, METTL3, and CDC25A show a strong positive correlation in TCGA pan-cancer, including AEG. In conclusion, our study highlights the role of post-transcriptional regulation in modulating AEG tumor progression and elucidates the functional importance of the m6A/IGF2BP3/CDC25A axis in AEG cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Pan
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Huolun Feng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jianlong Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wenxing Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yongfeng Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiabin Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Junjiang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Yu Y, Hai Y, Zhou H, Bao W, Hu X, Gao Y, Wu J. METTL3 Inhibition Suppresses Cell Growth and Survival in Colorectal Cancer via ASNS Downregulation. J Cancer 2024; 15:4853-4865. [PMID: 39132158 PMCID: PMC11310885 DOI: 10.7150/jca.96760] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents a significant global health burden, with high rates of incidence and mortality, and an urgent need to improve prognosis. STM2457, a novel small molecule inhibitor specific for N6-methyladenosine (m6A) catalytic enzyme Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) has implicated significant treatment potentials in a few of types of cancer. However, its impact and underlying mechanism are still unclear in CRC cells. Methods: We used CCK-8 and colony formation assay to observe cell growth, flow cytometry and TUNEL approaches to detect cell apoptosis under the treatment of STM2457 on CRC cells in vitro or in vivo. RNA-sequencing, qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore downstream effectors of STM2457. Messenger RNA stability was evaluated by qRT-PCR after treatment with actinomycin D. The methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter analyses and m6A dot blotting were carried out to measure the m6A modification. Associated gene expression pattern and clinical relevance in CRC clinical tissue samples were analyzed using online database. Results: STM2457 exhibited a strong influence on cell growth suppression and apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro and subcutaneous xenograft growth in vivo. Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was markedly downregulated upon STM2457 treatment or METTL3 knockdown and exogenous overexpression of ASNS could rescue the biological defects induced by STM2457. Mechanistically, the downregulation of ASNS by STM2457 may be due to the decrease of m6A modification level in ASNS mRNA mediated by METTL3. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that STM2457 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent and ASNS may be a new promising therapeutic target for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yanan Hai
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Hongfeng Zhou
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Wenfang Bao
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaowei Hu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yong Gao
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jin Wu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
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7
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Hu H, Li Z, Xie X, Liao Q, Hu Y, Gong C, Gao N, Yang H, Xiao Y, Chen Y. Insights into the role of RNA m 6A modification in the metabolic process and related diseases. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101011. [PMID: 38560499 PMCID: PMC10978549 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.04.038] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the latest consensus, many traditional diseases are considered metabolic diseases, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Currently, metabolic diseases are increasingly prevalent because of the ever-improving living standards and have become the leading threat to human health. Multiple therapy methods have been applied to treat these diseases, which improves the quality of life of many patients, but the overall effect is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, intensive research on the metabolic process and the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is imperative. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an important modification of eukaryotic RNAs. It is a critical regulator of gene expression that is involved in different cellular functions and physiological processes. Many studies have indicated that m6A modification regulates the development of many metabolic processes and metabolic diseases. In this review, we summarized recent studies on the role of m6A modification in different metabolic processes and metabolic diseases. Additionally, we highlighted the potential m6A-targeted therapy for metabolic diseases, expecting to facilitate m6A-targeted strategies in the treatment of metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qiushi Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yiyang Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Chunli Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Nannan Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yufeng Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
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8
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Li S, Mehal WZ, Ouyang X. RNA modifications in the progression of liver diseases: from fatty liver to cancer. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2494-x. [PMID: 38809498 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2494-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a prominent global health concern associated with high risk of metabolic syndrome, and has impacted a substantial segment of the population. The disease spectrum ranges from simple fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is increasingly becoming a prevalent indication for liver transplantation. The existing therapeutic options for NAFLD, NASH, and HCC are limited, underscoring the urgent need for innovative treatment strategies. Insights into gene expression, particularly RNA modifications such as N6 methyladenosine (m6A), hold promising avenues for interventions. These modifications play integral roles in RNA metabolism and cellular functions, encompassing the entire NAFLD-NASH-HCC progression. This review will encompass recent insights on diverse RNA modifications, including m6A, pseudouridine (ψ), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), and 5-methylcytidine (m5C) across various RNA species. It will uncover their significance in crucial aspects such as steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, prospective research directions and therapeutic implications will be explored, advancing our comprehensive understanding of the intricate interconnected nature of these pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simiao Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Wajahat Z Mehal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Xinshou Ouyang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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Liu Q, Huang CS, Chen S, Zhu YQ, Huang XT, Zhao GY, Xu QC, Shi YH, Li W, Wang R, Yin XY. ADAR1 promotes cisplatin resistance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by regulating BRCA2 expression through A-to-I editing manner. Cell Prolif 2024:e13659. [PMID: 38773866 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant A-to-I RNA editing, mediated by ADAR1 has been found to be associated with increased tumourigenesis and the development of chemotherapy resistance in various types of cancer. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, and overcoming chemotherapy resistance poses a significant clinical challenge. This study aimed to clarify the roles of ADAR1 in tumour resistance to cisplatin in iCCA. We discovered that ADAR1 expression is elevated in iCCA patients, particularly in those resistant to cisplatin, and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Downregulation of ADAR1 can increase the sensitivity of iCCA cells to cisplatin treatment, whereas its overexpression has the inverse effect. By integrating RNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we identified BRCA2, a critical DNA damage repair gene, as a downstream target of ADAR1 in iCCA. ADAR1 mediates the A-to-I editing in BRCA2 3'UTR, inhibiting miR-3157-5p binding, consequently increasing BRCA2 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, ADAR1 enhances cellular DNA damage repair ability and facilitates cisplatin resistance in iCCA cells. Combining ADAR1 targeting with cisplatin treatment markedly enhances the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin. In conclusion, ADAR1 promotes tumour progression and cisplatin resistance of iCCA. ADAR1 targeting could inform the development of innovative combination therapies for iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Song Huang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Qin Zhu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi-Tai Huang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang-Yin Zhao
- Department of Animal Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong-Cong Xu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Hao Shi
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Li
- Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruizhi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Yin
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Jia J, Yu L. METTL3-mediated m6A modification of EPPK1 to promote the development of esophageal cancer through regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:2830-2841. [PMID: 38293837 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24158] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) has been proved to be involved in the progression of various cancers. In this study, we explored the role of METTL3 and its underlying mechanism in esophageal cancer progression. The mRNA and protein levels of METTL3 and epiplakin1 (EPPK1) were determined using qRT-PCR and western blot. The proliferative ability was evaluated through 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), colony formation, and EdU assays. Transwell invasion assay and wound-healing assay were employed for detecting cell invasion and migration, respectively. Cell stemness was evaluated by sphere-formation assay. Xenograft tumor experiments and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to explore the effects of METTL3 knockdown on tumor growth in vivo. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of EPPK1 was analyzed using MeRIP. RNA-protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the relationship between EPPK1 and METTL3. METTL3 was upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cells, which was related to the poor prognosis of esophageal cancer patients. Knockdown of METTL3 overtly decreased the proliferative, invasive, migrated abilities, and cell stemness of esophageal cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, depletion of METTL3 also observably suppressed the growth of tumor in vivo. EPPK1 was a direct target of METTL3, and METTL3 could mediate the m6A modification of EPPK1. EPPK1 was downregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cells, and EPPK1 depletion markedly repressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and stemness of esophageal cancer cells. The inhibition effects of METTL3 deficiency on these malignant behaviors were harbored by EPPK1 upregulation in esophageal cancer cells. In addition, METTL3 deficiency reduced EPPK1 expression to inactivate the PI3K/AKT pathway. Our results revealed that METTL3 deficiency regulated the m6A modification of EPPK1 to inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby restraining the progression of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Jia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital, Nanyang, China
| | - Longhai Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital, Nanyang, China
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11
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Ke J, Zhang CJ, Wang LZ, Xie FS, Wu HY, Li T, Bian CW, Wu RL. Lipopolysaccharide promotes cancer cell migration and invasion through METTL3/PI3K/AKT signaling in human cholangiocarcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29683. [PMID: 38681552 PMCID: PMC11053196 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose As a major structural component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been detected in the blood circulation and tissues in patients with chronic diseases and cancers, which plays a critical role in the tumor formation and progression. However, the biological role of LPS in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remains unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of LPS in the malignant progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The cell migration and invasion capacities of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were evaluated by Boyden chamber assays. Expression levels of the key molecules involved in the PI3K/AKT signaling and METTL3 were detected by qPCR and western blot. The molecular mechanism by which LPS promotes the malignant behaviors was investigated by using siRNAs, plasmids and small molecule inhibitors. Results In vitro experiments showed that exogenous LPS treatment promoted cell migration and invasion capacities in both QBC939 and HUCCT1 cell lines, while did not affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, exogenous LPS treatment had been proved to induce the increased expression of METTL3 and activate the downstream PI3K/AKTsignaling pathway. In addition, suppression of METTL3 expression reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion capacities in both cell lines. Furthermore, inhibition of METTL3 expression or inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling decreased LPS-induced cell migration and invasion capacities. Moreover, knockdown of METTL3 or inhibition of METTL3 significantly inhibited LPS-induced activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling. Conclusion In general, these results suggest that the LPS-METTL3-PI3K/AKT signal axis promotes cell migration and invasion in ICC, which contributes to a reduced overall survival in patients with ICC. It may broaden the horizon of cancer therapy with potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ke
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chang-jiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lian-zi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Feng-shuo Xie
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hong-Yu Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cong-Wen Bian
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ruo-Lin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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12
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Li J, Xu X, Xu K, Zhou X, Wu K, Yao Y, Liu Z, Chen C, Wang L, Sun Z, Jiao D, Han X. N6-methyladenosine-modified circSLCO1B3 promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression via regulating HOXC8 and PD-L1. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:119. [PMID: 38641828 PMCID: PMC11031933 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03006-x] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refractoriness to surgical resection and chemotherapy makes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) a fatal cancer of the digestive system with high mortality and poor prognosis. Important function invests circRNAs with tremendous potential in biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, it is still unknown how circRNAs contribute to the evolution of ICC. METHODS CircRNAs in paired ICC and adjacent tissues were screened by circRNAs sequencing. To explore the impact of circRNAs on ICC development, experiments involving gain and loss of function were conducted. Various experimental techniques, including quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), western blotting, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), luciferase reporter assays, RNA pull-down, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), ubiquitination assays and so on were employed to identify the molecular regulatory role of circRNAs. RESULTS Herein, we reported a new circRNA, which originates from exon 9 to exon 15 of the SLCO1B3 gene (named circSLCO1B3), orchestrated ICC progression by promoting tumor proliferation, metastasis and immune evasion. We found that the circSLCO1B3 gene was highly overexpressed in ICC tissues and related to lymphatic metastasis, tumor sizes, and tumor differentiation. Mechanically, circSLCO1B3 not only promoted ICC proliferation and metastasis via miR-502-5p/HOXC8/SMAD3 axis, but also eradicated anti-tumor immunity via suppressing ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of PD-L1 by E3 ubiquitin ligase SPOP. We further found that methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) mediated the m6A methylation of circSLCO1B3 and stabilizes its expression. Our findings indicate that circSLCO1B3 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in ICC patients. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, m6A-modified circSLCO1B3 was correlated with poor prognosis in ICC and promoted ICC progression not only by enhancing proliferation and metastasis via potentiating HOXC8 expression, but also by inducing immune evasion via antagonizing PD-L1 degradation. These results suggest that circSLCO1B3 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Kaihao Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xueliang Zhou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Kunpeng Wu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Dechao Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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13
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Wu R, Zhang Z, Xu Q, Liu F, Zhan Y, Wang Q, Du L, Tang X. Integration of network pharmacology and experimental verifications reveals the Bian-Se-Tong mixture can alleviate constipation in STC rats by reducing apoptosis of Cajal cells via activating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28022. [PMID: 38586320 PMCID: PMC10998068 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Bian-Se-Tong mixture (BSTM) is an optimized formulation based on the classical prescription "Zhizhu pill", which is widely used in the clinical treatment of slow-transit constipation (STC). The potential molecular mechanism of BSTM therapy for STC was investigated by network pharmacology prediction combined with animal experiments. The active components of BSTM were screened via the TCMSP platform. The GeneCards, OMIM and DrugBank databases were used to search for STC targets. With the help of the Biogenet tool, a protein interaction network between drugs and disease targets was constructed, and the intersection network of the two was extracted to obtain the key targets of BSTM in the treatment of STC. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of key targets were carried out with Metascape. Loperamide hydrochloride was used to establish an STC rat model, and the key targets and related pathways were preliminarily verified. The important signaling pathways included the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, IL-17, cAMP, and cell cycle signaling pathways. The experimental results showed that BSTM treatment increased the body weight of STC rats and increased the fecal particle number, fecal water content and intestinal carbon ink promotion rate within 24 h. Further pathological changes in the colon of the rats were also observed. In-depth mechanistic studies have shown that BSTM can significantly reduce the apoptosis of intestinal Cajal cells, downregulate the expression of Bax and c-Caspase 3, upregulate the expression of Bcl-2 and c-kit, and promote the phosphorylation of AKT. The results showed that BSTM can significantly relieve constipation in STC rats via a mechanism related to activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and improving Cajal cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Qingxia Xu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, China
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Yu Zhan
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qiuxiao Wang
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Lijuan Du
- Department of Anorectal, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Department of Anorectal, Chengdu Thrid People's Hospital, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Xuegui Tang
- North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
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14
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Lin S, Kuang M. RNA modification-mediated mRNA translation regulation in liver cancer: mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:267-281. [PMID: 38243019 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00884-y] [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] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Malignant liver cancer is characterized by rapid tumour progression and a high mortality rate, whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying liver cancer initiation and progression are still poorly understood. The dynamic and reversible RNA modifications have crucial functions in gene expression regulation by modulating RNA processing and mRNA translation. Emerging evidence has revealed that alterations in RNA modifications facilitate the selective translation of oncogenic transcripts and promote the diverse tumorigenic processes of liver cancer. In this Review, we first highlight the current progress on the functions and mechanisms underlying RNA modifications in the regulation of mRNA translation and then summarize the exciting discoveries on aberrant RNA modification-mediated mRNA translation in the regulation of tumour initiation, metastasis, metabolism, tumour microenvironment, and drug and radiotherapy resistance in liver cancer. Finally, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of targeting RNA modifications and mRNA translation for the clinical management of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuibin Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ming Kuang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
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15
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Jin J, Liu XM, Shao W, Meng XM. Nucleic acid and protein methylation modification in renal diseases. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:661-673. [PMID: 38102221 PMCID: PMC10943093 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01203-6] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Although great efforts have been made to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of renal diseases and potential prevention and treatment targets that would allow us to retard kidney disease progression, we still lack specific and effective management methods. Epigenetic mechanisms are able to alter gene expression without requiring DNA mutations. Accumulating evidence suggests the critical roles of epigenetic events and processes in a variety of renal diseases, involving functionally relevant alterations in DNA methylation, histone methylation, RNA methylation, and expression of various non-coding RNAs. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the impact of methylation events (especially RNA m6A methylation, DNA methylation, and histone methylation) on renal disease progression, and their impact on treatments of renal diseases. We believe that a better understanding of methylation modification changes in kidneys may contribute to the development of novel strategies for the prevention and management of renal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jin
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xue-Mei Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wei Shao
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Meng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China.
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16
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Wang Y, Zhang G, Gao Y, Zhang X, Qi H. METTL3 promotes trophoblast ferroptosis in preeclampsia by stabilizing the ACSL4 m 6A modification. Exp Cell Res 2024; 437:113990. [PMID: 38462207 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113990] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) modulation of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of trophoblast-mediated preeclampsia. The expression of METTL3 and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was measured in clinical placental tissues and trophoblasts using qPCR and Western blot techniques. The effects of METTL3 on the symptoms of preeclampsia were also validated in rat models. METTL3 and ACSL4 were upregulated in placental tissues from patients with preeclampsia and in hypoxia-induced trophoblasts. METTL3 silencing increased the migration and invasion of trophoblasts cultured under hypoxic conditions. Knockdown of METTL3 increased cell viability and suppressed ferroptosis in hypoxia-stimulated trophoblasts. Hypoxia increased the level of m6A in cells, whereas silencing METTL3 partially reversed this change. Silencing METTL3 resulted in a decrease in m6A modification of ACSL4 mRNA, which led to a reduction in ACSL4 mRNA stability. ACSL4 upregulation partially reversed the effects of METTL3 silencing on cell viability, migration, invasion, and ferroptosis in hypoxia-stimulated trophoblasts. Inhibition of METTL3 in preeclampsia rats decreased blood pressure, urine protein levels, fetal survival rate, and ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. METTL3 elevates ferroptosis to inhibit the migration and invasion of trophoblasts and in vivo preeclampsia symptoms by catalyzing the m6A modification of ACSL4 mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- The Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Labtory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children,Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College,Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Gang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children,Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College,Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children,Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College,Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- The Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Labtory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Hongbo Qi
- The Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Chongqing Key Labtory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China.
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17
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Ma H, Hong Y, Xu Z, Weng Z, Yang Y, Jin D, Chen Z, Yue J, Zhou X, Xu Z, Fei F, Li J, Song W. N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) modification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116365. [PMID: 38452654 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116365] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers of human, the tumor-related death of which ranks third among the common malignances. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, the most abundant internal modification of RNA in mammals, participates in the metabolism of mRNA and interrelates with ncRNAs. In this paper, we overviewed the complex function of m6A regulators in HCC, including regulating the tumorigenesis, progression, prognosis, stemness, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy, ferroptosis, drug resistance and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Furthermore, we elucidated the interplay between m6A modification and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Finally, we summarized the potential of m6A regulators as diagnostic biomarkers. What's more, we reviewed the inhibitors targeting m6A enzymes as promising therapeutic targets of HCC. We aimed to help understand the function of m6A methylation in HCC systematically and comprehensively so that more effective strategies for HCC treatment will be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hehua Ma
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuxin Hong
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhenzhen Xu
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zuyi Weng
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuanxun Yang
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Dandan Jin
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhiyou Chen
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Yue
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi Xu
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fei Fei
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Juan Li
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Wei Song
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
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18
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Xu P, Liu K, Huang S, Lv J, Yan Z, Ge H, Cheng Q, Chen Z, Ji P, Qian Y, Li B, Xu H, Yang L, Xu Z, Zhang D. N 6-methyladenosine-modified MIB1 promotes stemness properties and peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer cells by ubiquitinating DDX3X. Gastric Cancer 2024; 27:275-291. [PMID: 38252226 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01463-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peritoneal metastasis (PM), one of the most typical forms of metastasis in advanced gastric cancer (GC), indicates a poor prognosis. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of PM is urgently necessary, as it has not been well studied. E3 ubiquitin ligase has been widely established to exert a biological function in various cancers, but its mechanism of action in GC with PM remains unknown. METHODS The effect of MIB1 on PM of GC was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrometry demonstrated the association between MIB1 and DDX3X. Western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence determined that DDX3X was ubiquitylated by MIB1 and promoted stemness. We further confirmed that METTL3 promoted the up-regulation of MIB1 by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), luciferase reporter assay and other experiments. RESULTS We observed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mind bomb 1 (MIB1) was highly expressed in PMs, and patients with PM with high MIB1 expression showed a worse prognosis than those with low MIB1 expression. Mechanistically, our study demonstrated that the E3 ubiquitin ligase MIB1 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and stemness in GC cells by degrading DDX3X. In addition, METTL3 mediated m6A modification to stabilize MIB1, which required the m6A reader IGF2BP2. CONCLUSIONS Our study elucidated the specific molecular mechanism by which MIB1 promotes PM of GC, and suggested that targeting the METTL3-MIB1-DDX3X axis may be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC with PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kanghui Liu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shansong Huang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jialun Lv
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhengyuan Yan
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Lishui People's Hospital, Nanjing, 211200, China
| | - Han Ge
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zetian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peicheng Ji
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yawei Qian
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Diancai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Bai X, Huang J, Jin Y, Chen J, Zhou S, Dong L, Han X, He X. M6A RNA methylation in biliary tract cancer: the function roles and potential therapeutic implications. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:83. [PMID: 38365891 PMCID: PMC10873351 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01849-z] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are relatively rare malignancies with a poor prognosis. For advanced BTCs, the efficacy of current chemotherapeutic approaches is limited. Consequently, there is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BTC tumorigenesis and development for the exploration of effective targeted therapies. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant RNA modifications in eukaryotes, is found usually dysregulated and involved in tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance in tumors. Numerous studies have confirmed that aberrant m6A regulators function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in BTCs by the reversible regulation of RNA metabolism, including splicing, export, degradation and translation. In this review, we summarized the current roles of the m6A regulators and their functional impacts on RNA fate in BTCs. The improved understanding of m6A modification in BTCs also provides a reasonable outlook for the exploration of new diagnostic strategies and efficient therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhao Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqun Jin
- Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School Of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiemin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengnan Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liangbo Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xianlin Han
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaodong He
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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20
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Dong T, Yu C, Yang Z, He G, Wen Y, Roseng LE, Wei X, Jing W, Lin Q, Zhao L, Jiang Z. Nanotoxicity of tungsten trioxide nanosheets containing oxygen vacancy to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 234:113742. [PMID: 38271855 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113742] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Because of the excellent performance in photochemistry, WO3 is increasingly applied in the field of biology and medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism of WO3 cytotoxicity. In this work, WO3 nanosheets with oxygen vacancy are synthesized by solvothermal method, then characterized and added to culture medium of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with different concentrations. We characterized and analyzed the morphology of nano-WO3 by transmission electron microscopy and calculated the specific data of oxygen vacancy by XPS. It is the first time the effect of WO3-x on cells that WO3-x can cause oxidative stress in HUVEC cells, resulting in DNA damage and thus promoting apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing is performed on cells treated with low and high concentrations of WO3-x, and a series of key signals affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis are detected in differentially expressed genes, which indicates the research direction of nanotoxicity. The expression levels of key genes are also verified by quantitative PCR after cell treatment with different concentrations of WO3-x. This work fills the gap between the biocompatibility of nano WO3-x materials and molecular cytology and paves the way for investigating the mechanism and risks of oxygen vacancy in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Systems and Intelligent Transduction, Collaborative Innovation Center on Micro-Nano Transduction and Intelligent Eco-Internet of Things, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-NanoSystems Technology and Smart Transducing, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400067, China; Department of Microsystems (IMS), Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Postboks 235, 3603 Kongsberg, Norway.
| | - Chenghui Yu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Systems and Intelligent Transduction, Collaborative Innovation Center on Micro-Nano Transduction and Intelligent Eco-Internet of Things, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-NanoSystems Technology and Smart Transducing, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Zhaochu Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Systems and Intelligent Transduction, Collaborative Innovation Center on Micro-Nano Transduction and Intelligent Eco-Internet of Things, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-NanoSystems Technology and Smart Transducing, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400067, China.
| | - Guozhen He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Systems and Intelligent Transduction, Collaborative Innovation Center on Micro-Nano Transduction and Intelligent Eco-Internet of Things, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-NanoSystems Technology and Smart Transducing, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400067, China; Department of Microsystems (IMS), Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Postboks 235, 3603 Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Yumei Wen
- Department of Instrumentation Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lars Eric Roseng
- Department of Microsystems (IMS), Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Postboks 235, 3603 Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Xueyong Wei
- School of Instrument Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Weixuan Jing
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Qijing Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Libo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zhuangde Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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Zhang Y, Kong Y, Zhang W, He J, Zhang Z, Cai Y, Zhao Y, Xu Q. METTL3 promotes osteoblast ribosome biogenesis and alleviates periodontitis. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:18. [PMID: 38267969 PMCID: PMC10809637 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01628-8] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Periodontitis is a highly prevalent oral disease characterized by bacterium-induced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone destruction. Osteoblast function is impaired in periodontitis with a global proteome change. METTL3 is the pivotal methyltransferase of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) that is recently proved to exert a crucial role in osteoblast differentiation. This study aims to investigate the role of METTL3 in osteoblast ribosome biogenesis in periodontitis progression. RESULTS METTL3 was knocked down in osteoblasts, and the downregulated genes were enriched in ribosome and translation. METTL3 knockdown inhibited ribosome biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated osteoblasts, whereas METTL3 overexpression facilitated ribosomal and mitochondrial function. Mechanistically, METTL3 mediated osteoblast biological behaviors by activating Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc signaling. METTL3 depletion enhanced the mRNA expression and stability of Dkk3 and Sostdc1 via YTHDF2. In periodontitis mice, METTL3 inhibitor SAH promoted alveolar bone loss and local inflammatory status, which were partially rescued by Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator CHIR-99021 HCl. CONCLUSIONS METTL3 promoted ribosome biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation by activating Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc signaling in LPS-treated osteoblasts and alleviated the inflammatory alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Yiping Kong
- Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Jinlin He
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Zhanqi Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Yongjie Cai
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Yiqing Zhao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Qiong Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510055, China.
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22
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Su W, Che L, Liao W, Huang H. The RNA m 6A writer METTL3 in tumor microenvironment: emerging roles and therapeutic implications. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1335774. [PMID: 38322265 PMCID: PMC10845340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1335774] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a heterogeneous ecosystem comprising cancer cells, immune cells, stromal cells, and various non-cellular components, all of which play critical roles in controlling tumor progression and response to immunotherapies. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), the core component of N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) writer, is frequently associated with abnormalities in the m6A epitranscriptome in different cancer types, impacting both cancer cells and the surrounding TME. While the impact of METTL3 on cancer cells has been extensively reviewed, its roles in TME and anti-cancer immunity have not been comprehensively summarized. This review aims to systematically summarize the functions of METTL3 in TME, particularly its effects on tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We also elaborate on the underlying m6A-dependent mechanism. Additionally, we discuss ongoing endeavors towards developing METTL3 inhibitors, as well as the potential of targeting METTL3 to bolster the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Che
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenting Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huilin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Chen Y, He Y, Li Z, Zhang N, Zhou C, He X, Xue D. METTL3 facilitates renal cell carcinoma progression by PLOD2 m 6A-methylation under prolonged hypoxia. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:62. [PMID: 38233403 PMCID: PMC10794171 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06411-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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent reversible modification in eukaryotic mRNA, and it plays a critical role in tumor progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of the methyltransferase METTL3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METTL3 expression was upregulated and predicted a poor prognosis in patients with advanced RCC. METTL3 facilitated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RCC cells, depending on its methylase activity. METTL3 positively regulated the expression of PLOD2, and both genes were triggered under prolonged hypoxia. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced the binding of HIF-1α to the METTL3 promoter, which enhanced its transcriptional activity. METTL3-mediated m6A modifications of PLOD2 mRNA at 3'UTR region, promoting the translation of PLOD2 protein. Furthermore, silencing METTL3 impaired RCC progression in vitro. In vivo, administration of highly potent and selective METTL3 inhibitor STM2457 showed anti-tumor effects, whereas AAV9-mediated re-transduction of PLOD2 largely abolished the above phenomenon in a subcutaneous mouse model. These findings reveal that hypoxia and HIF-driven METTL3 transcription promote RCC progression by increasing PLOD2 expression in an m6A-dependent manner, suggesting that METTL3 may serve as a novel pharmaceutical intervention for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yichen He
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengsheng Li
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cuixing Zhou
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaozhou He
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Dong Xue
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
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24
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Yu Y, Lu S, Jin H, Zhu H, Wei X, Zhou T, Zhao M. RNA N6-methyladenosine methylation and skin diseases. Autoimmunity 2023; 56:2167983. [PMID: 36708146 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2023.2167983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Skin diseases are global health issues caused by multiple pathogenic factors, in which epigenetics plays an invaluable role. Post-transcriptional RNA modifications are important epigenetic mechanism that regulate gene expression at the genome-wide level. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent modification that occurs in the messenger RNAs (mRNA) of most eukaryotes, which is installed by methyltransferases called "writers", removed by demethylases called "erasers", and recognised by RNA-binding proteins called "readers". To date, m6A is emerging to play essential part in both physiological processes and pathological progression, including skin diseases. However, a systematic summary of m6A in skin disease has not yet been reported. This review starts by illustrating each m6A-related modifier specifically and their roles in RNA processing, and then focus on the existing research advances of m6A in immune homeostasis and skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Shuang Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xingyu Wei
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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25
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Liu Q, Qi J, Li W, Tian X, Zhang J, Liu F, Lu X, Zang H, Liu C, Ma C, Yu Y, Jiang S. Therapeutic effect and transcriptome-methylome characteristics of METTL3 inhibition in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:298. [PMID: 38012755 PMCID: PMC10683134 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03096-1] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is the key subunit of methyltransferase complex responsible for catalyzing N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on mRNA, which is the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes. In this study, we utilized online databases to analyze the association between METTL3 expression and various aspects of tumorigenesis, including gene methylation, immunity, and prognosis. Our investigation revealed that METTL3 serves as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Through experimental studies, we observed frequent upregulation of METTL3 in LIHC tumor tissue and cells. Subsequent inhibition of METTL3 using a novel small molecule inhibitor, STM2457, significantly impeded tumor growth in LIHC cell lines, spheroids, and xenograft tumor model. Further, transcriptome and m6A sequencing of xenograft bodies unveiled that inhibition of METTL3-m6A altered genes enriched in SMAD and MAPK signaling pathways that are critical for tumorigenesis. These findings suggest that targeting METTL3 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, People's Republic of China
- Cisen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Jining, 272000, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjing Qi
- Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria
| | - Weiyang Li
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Rizhao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiulian Lu
- Cisen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Hengchang Zang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Chenqiao Liu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Changlin Ma
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China.
| | - Yong Yu
- Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria.
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Jin Q, Qu H, Quan C. New insights into the regulation of METTL3 and its role in tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:334. [PMID: 37996892 PMCID: PMC10732098 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01360-5] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most abundant epigenetic modifications in RNA, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) affects RNA transcription, splicing, stability, and posttranscriptional translation. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a key component of the m6A methyltransferase complex, dynamically regulates target genes expression through m6A modification. METTL3 has been found to play a critical role in tumorigenesis, tumor growth, metastasis, metabolic reprogramming, immune cell infiltration, and tumor drug resistance. As a result, the development of targeted drugs against METTL3 is becoming increasingly popular. This review systematically summarizes the factors that regulate METTL3 expression and explores the specific mechanisms by which METTL3 affects multiple tumor biological behaviors. We aim to provide fundamental support for tumor diagnosis and treatment, at the same time, to offer new ideas for the development of tumor-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Huinan Qu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Yu Y, Liang C, Wang X, Shi Y, Shen L. The potential role of RNA modification in skin diseases, as well as the recent advances in its detection methods and therapeutic agents. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115524. [PMID: 37722194 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115524] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modification is considered as an epigenetic modification that plays an indispensable role in biological processes such as gene expression and genome editing without altering nucleotide sequence, but the molecular mechanism of RNA modification has not been discussed systematically in the development of skin diseases. This article mainly presents the whole picture of theoretical achievements on the potential role of RNA modification in dermatology. Furthermore, this article summarizes the latest advances in clinical practice related with RNA modification, including its detection methods and drug development. Based on this comprehensive review, we aim to illustrate the current blind spots and future directions of RNA modification, which may provide new insights for researchers in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Psoriasis, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Dermatology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Psoriasis, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuling Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Psoriasis, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liangliang Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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28
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Liu N, Zhang J, Chen W, Ma W, Wu T. The RNA methyltransferase METTL16 enhances cholangiocarcinoma growth through PRDM15-mediated FGFR4 expression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:263. [PMID: 37817227 PMCID: PMC10566113 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification is implicated in the progression of human cancers including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METTL16 is recently identified as a new RNA methyltransferase responsible for m6A modification, although the role of METTL16 in CCA has not yet been examined. The current study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of the RNA methyltransferase METTL16 in CCA. METHODS The expression of METTL16 in CCA was examined by analyzing publicly available datasets or by IHC staining on tumor samples. siRNA or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of function studies were performed in vitro and in vivo to investigate the oncogenic role of METTL16 in CCA. MeRIP-Seq was carried out to identify the downstream target of METTL16. ChIP-qPCR, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblots were used to explore the regulation mechanisms for METTL16 expression in CCA. RESULTS We observed that the expression of METTL16 was noticeably increased in human CCA tissues. Depletion of METTL16 significantly inhibited CCA cell proliferation and decreased tumor progression. PRDM15 was identified as a key target of METTL16 in CCA cells. Mechanistically, our data showed that METTL16 regulated PRDM15 protein expression via YTHDF1-dependent translation. Accordingly, we observed that restoration of PRDM15 expression could rescue the deficiency of CCA cell proliferation/colony formation induced by METTL16 depletion. Our subsequent analyses revealed that METTL16-PRDM15 signaling regulated the expression of FGFR4 in CCA cells. Specifically, we observed that PRDM15 protein was associated with the FGFR4 promoter to regulate its expression. Furthermore, we showed that the histone acetyltransferase p300 cooperated with the transcription factor YY1 to regulate METTL16 gene expression via histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) acetylation in CCA cells. CONCLUSIONS This study describes a novel METTL16-PRDM15-FGFR4 signaling axis which is crucial for CCA growth and may have important therapeutic implications. We showed that depletion of METTL16 significantly inhibited CCA cell proliferation and decreased tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianli Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-79, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-79, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Weina Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-79, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Wenbo Ma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-79, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-79, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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29
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Bai Y, Zhao H, Liu H, Wang W, Dong H, Zhao C. RNA methylation, homologous recombination repair and therapeutic resistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115409. [PMID: 37659205 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115409] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is critical for maintaining genomic integrity and stability. Defects in HR increase the risk of tumorigenesis. However, many human tumors exhibit enhanced HR repair capabilities, consequently endowing tumor cells with resistance to DNA-damaging chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This review summarizes the role of RNA methylation in HR repair and therapeutic resistance in human tumors. We also analyzed the interactions between RNA methylation and other HR-modulating modifications including histone acetylation, histone deacetylation, ubiquitination, deubiquitination, protein arginine methylation, and gene transcription. This review proposes that targeting RNA methylation is a promising approach to overcoming HR-mediated therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hanlin Zhao
- Department of Ion Channel Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haijun Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Hongming Dong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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30
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Liao Y, Liu Y, Yu C, Lei Q, Cheng J, Kong W, Yu Y, Zhuang X, Sun W, Yin S, Cai G, Huang H. HSP90β Impedes STUB1-Induced Ubiquitination of YTHDF2 to Drive Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302025. [PMID: 37515378 PMCID: PMC10520652 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
YTH domain family 2 (YTHDF2) is the first identified N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) reader that regulates the status of mRNA. It has been reported that overexpressed YTHDF2 promotes carcinogenesis; yet, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is elusive. Herein, it is demonstrated that YTHDF2 is upregulated and can predict poor outcomes in HCC. Decreased ubiquitination levels of YTHDF2 contribute to the upregulation of YTHDF2. Furthermore, heat shock protein 90 beta (HSP90β) and STIP1 homology and U-box-containing protein 1 (STUB1) physically interact with YTHDF2 in the cytoplasm. Mechanically, the large and small middle domain of HSP90β is required for its interaction with STUB1 and YTHDF2. HSP90β inhibits the STUB1-induced degradation of YTHDF2 to elevate the expression of YTHDF2 and to further boost the proliferation and sorafenib resistance of HCC. Moreover, HSP90β and YTHDF2 are upregulated, while STUB1 is downregulated in HCC tissues. The expression of HSP90β is positively correlated with the YTHDF2 protein level, whereas the expression of STUB1 is negatively correlated with the protein levels of YTHDF2 and HSP90β. These findings deepen the understanding of how YTHDF2 is regulated to drive HCC progression and provide potential targets for treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Liao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510095China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Cuifu Yu
- Shenshan Medical CenterMemorial Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityShanwei516600China
| | - Qiucheng Lei
- Department of Hepatopancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of FoshanFoshan528000China
| | - Ji Cheng
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Weiyao Kong
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Yuanhui Yu
- KingMed School of Laboratory MedicineGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Xuefen Zhuang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Wenshuang Sun
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Shusha Yin
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
| | - Gengxi Cai
- Department of Breast SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of FoshanFoshan528000China
| | - Hongbiao Huang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510095China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou511436China
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Han Z, Yi X, Li J, Zhang T, Liao D, You J, Ai J. RNA m 6A modification in prostate cancer: A new weapon for its diagnosis and therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188961. [PMID: 37507057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide. Despite significant advances in PCa therapy, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Recently, epigenetic modification has emerged as a key player in tumor progression, and RNA-based N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epigenetic modification was found to be crucial. This review summarizes comprehensive state-of-art mechanisms underlying m6A modification, its implication in the pathogenesis, and advancement of PCa in protein-coding and non-coding RNA contexts, its relevance to PCa immunotherapy, and the ongoing clinical trials for PCa treatment. This review presents potential m6A-based targets and paves a new avenue for diagnosing and treating PCa, providing new guidelines for future related research through a systematic review of previous results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Han
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xianyanling Yi
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dazhou Liao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jia You
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 South Keyuan Road, Chengdu 610041, China.
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [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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Tang Y, Hong F, Ding S, Yang J, Zhang M, Ma Y, Zheng Q, Yang D, Jin Y, Ma C. METTL3-mediated m 6A modification of IGFBP7-OT promotes osteoarthritis progression by regulating the DNMT1/DNMT3a-IGFBP7 axis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112589. [PMID: 37270777 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disorder, affecting approximately half of the elderly population. In this study, we find that the expressions of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) IGFBP7-OT and its maternal gene, IGFBP7, are upregulated and positively correlated in osteoarthritic cartilage. Overexpression of IGFBP7-OT significantly inhibits chondrocyte viability, promotes chondrocyte apoptosis, and reduces extracellular matrix components, whereas IGFBP7-OT knockdown has the opposite effects. IGFBP7-OT overexpression promotes cartilage degeneration and markedly aggravates the monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA phenotype in vivo. Further mechanistic research reveals that IGFBP7-OT promotes OA progression by upregulating IGFBP7 expression. Specifically, IGFBP7-OT suppresses the occupancy of DNMT1 and DNMT3a on the IGFBP7 promoter, thereby inhibiting methylation of the IGFBP7 promoter. The upregulation of IGFBP7-OT in OA is partially controlled by METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Collectively, our findings reveal that m6A modification of IGFBP7-OT promotes OA progression by regulating the DNMT1/DNMT3a-IGFBP7 axis and provide a potential therapeutical target for OA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Tang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Xenotransplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Fangling Hong
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Xenotransplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Siyang Ding
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Jiashu Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Yunfei Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Que Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Dawei Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Yucui Jin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Xenotransplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China.
| | - Changyan Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Xenotransplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Road 101, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China.
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Xiao H, Zhao R, Meng W, Liao Y. Effects and translatomics characteristics of a small-molecule inhibitor of METTL3 against non-small cell lung cancer. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:625-639. [PMID: 37440912 PMCID: PMC10334285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the heterogeneity promotes drug resistance, and the restricted expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) limits the immunotherapy benefits. Based on the mechanisms related to translation regulation and the association with PD-L1 of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), the novel small-molecule inhibitor STM2457 is assumed to be useful for the treatment of NSCLC. We evaluated the efficacy of STM2457 in vivo and in vitro and confirmed the effects of its inhibition on disease progression. Next, we explored the effect of STM2457 on METTL3 and revealed its effects on the inhibition of catalytic activity and upregulation of METTL3 protein expression. Importantly, we described the genome-wide characteristics of multiple omics data acquired from RNA sequencing, ribosome profiling, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing data under STM2457 treatment or METTL3 knockout. We also constructed a model for the regulation of the translation of METTL3 and PD-L1. Finally, we found PD-L1 upregulation by STM2457 in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, STM2457 is a potential novel suppressor based on its inhibitory effect on tumor progression and may be able to overcome the heterogeneity based on its impact on the translatome. Furthermore, it can improve the immunotherapy outcomes based on PD-L1 upregulation in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Rong Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wangyang Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yongde Liao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
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Guo S, Lin T, Chen G, Shangguan Z, Zhou L, Chen Z, Shi T, Chen D, Wang Z, Liu W. METTL3 Affects Spinal Cord Neuronal Apoptosis by Regulating Bcl-2 m6A Modifications After Spinal Cord Injury. Neurospine 2023; 20:623-636. [PMID: 37401082 PMCID: PMC10323356 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2346170.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe type of neurological trauma. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the most common internal modifications of RNA. The role of METTL3, the predominant methylation enzyme of m6A modification, in SCI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of methyltransferase METTL3 in SCI. METHODS After establishing the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model of PC12 cells and rat spinal cord hemisection model, we found that the expression of METTL3 and the overall m6A modification level were significantly increased in neurons. The m6A modification was identified on B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) by bioinformatics analysis, and m6A-RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA immunoprecipitation. In addition, METTL3 was blocked by the specific inhibitor STM2457 and gene knockdown, and then apoptosis levels were measured. RESULTS In different models, we found that the expression of METTL3 and the overall m6A modification level were significantly increased in neurons. After inducing OGD, inhibition of METTL3 activity or expression increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, inhibited neuronal apoptosis, and improved neuronal viability in the spinal cord. CONCLUSION Inhibition of METTL3 activity or expression can inhibit the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons after SCI through the m6A/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyu Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Taotao Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhitao Shangguan
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Linquan Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Tengbin Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dehui Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenge Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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Liu B, Cao J, Wu B, Hao K, Wang X, Chen X, Shen Z. METTL3 and STAT3 form a positive feedback loop to promote cell metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:121. [PMID: 37231451 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01148-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well-established that most Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients die of metastasis, yet the potential mechanisms orchestrating metastasis remain poorly understood. Current evidence suggests that the dysregulation of METTL3-mediated m6A methylation modification is closely associated with cancer progression. STAT3 is an oncogenic transcription factor that reportedly plays a central role in the occurrence and development of HCC. However, the relationship between METTL3 and STAT3 in HCC metastasis remains unclear. METHODS The relationship between METTL3 expression and the survival of HCC patients was assessed by online tools GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Western blotting, Tissue microarray (TMA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were used to evaluate the expression levels of METTL3 and STAT3 in HCC cell lines and metastatic and non-metastatic tissues. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP), MeRIP sequencing (MeRIP-seq), qRT-PCR, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), Western blotting and luciferase reporter gene assay were utilized to clarify the mechanism of METTL3 regulating STAT3 expression. Immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), IHC staining, TMA and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were performed to explore the mechanism of STAT3 modulating METTL3 localization. Cell viability, wound healing and transwell assay, and orthotopic xenograft model were used to evaluate the role of METTL3-STAT3 feedback loop in the promotion of HCC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS METTL3 and STAT3 are both abundantly expressed in high-metastatic HCC cells and tissues. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the expression of STAT3 and METTL3 in HCC tissues. Mechanistically, METTL3 could induce the m6A modification of STAT3 mRNA, and then promote the translation of m6A-contained STAT3 mRNA by interacting with the translation initiation machinery. In contrast, STAT3 promoted nuclear localization of METTL3 via transcriptionally upregulating WTAP, a vital member of the methyltransferase complex, and facilitated the methyltransferase function of METTL3. METTL3 and STAT3 form a positive feedback loop to accelerate HCC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of HCC metastasis and uncover the METTL3-STAT3 feedback signaling as a potential target for the anti-metastatic treatment of HCC. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Liu
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinling Cao
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Biting Wu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Kaixuan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xiangyun Wang
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhifa Shen
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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Wang L, Yang Q, Zhou Q, Fang F, Lei K, Liu Z, Zheng G, Zhu L, Huo J, Li X, Peng S, Kuang M, Lin S, Huang M, Xu L. METTL3-m 6A-EGFR-axis drives lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2023; 559:216122. [PMID: 36898427 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Lenvatinib is emerging as the first-line therapeutic option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but drug resistance remains a major hurdle for its long-term therapy efficiency in clinic. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA modification. Here, we aimed to investigate the modulatory effects and underlying mechanisms of m6A in lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Our data revealed that m6A mRNA modification was significantly upregulated in the HCC lenvatinib resistance (HCC-LR) cells compared to parental cells. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) was the most significantly upregulated protein among the m6A regulators. Either genetic or pharmacological inhibition of m6A methylation through METTL3 deactivation in primary resistant cell line MHCC97H and acquired resistant Huh7-LR cells decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis upon lenvatinib treatment in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the specific METTL3 inhibitor STM2457 improved tumor response to lenvatinib in multiple mouse HCC models, including subcutaneous, orthotopic and hydrodynamic models. The MeRIP-seq results showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was a downstream target of METTL3. EGFR overexpression abrogated the METTL3 knocked down-induced cell growth arrest upon lenvatinib treatment in HCC-LR cells. Thus, we concluded that targeting METTL3 using specific inhibitor STM2457 improved the sensitivity to lenvatinib in vitro and in vivo, indicating that METTL3 may be a potential therapeutic target to overcome lenvatinib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingxia Yang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianying Zhou
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Fang
- Clinical Trial Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Lei
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Center of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqin Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gaomin Zheng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lefan Zhu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jihui Huo
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxing Li
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sui Peng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Clinical Trial Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Kuang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuibin Lin
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Manling Huang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lixia Xu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Wang S, Gao S, Ye W, Li Y, Luan J, Lv X. The emerging importance role of m6A modification in liver disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114669. [PMID: 37037093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, as one of the most common types of inner RNA modification in eukaryotes, plays a multifunctional role in normal and abnormal biological processes. This type of modification is modulated by m6A writer, eraser and reader, which in turn impact various processes of RNA metabolism, such as RNA processing, translation, nuclear export, localization and decay. The current academic view holds that m6A modification exerts a crucial role in the post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression, and is involved in multiple cellular functions, developmental and disease processes. However, the potential molecular mechanism and specific role of m6A modification in the development of liver disease have not been fully elucidated. In our review, we summarized the latest research progress on m6A modification in liver disease, and explored how these novel findings reshape our knowledge of m6A modulation of RNA metabolism. In addition, we also illustrated the effect of m6A on liver development and regeneration to prompt further exploration of the mechanism and role of m6A modification in liver physiology and pathology, providing new insights and references for the search of potential therapeutic targets for liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui Province, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Liver Disease of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Songsen Gao
- Department of Orthopedics (Spinal Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wufei Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yueran Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jiajie Luan
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiongwen Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Liver Disease of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
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Xiao P, Meng Q, Liu Q, Lang Q, Yin Z, Li G, Li Z, Xu Y, Yu Z, Geng Q, Zhang Y, Liu L, Xie Y, Li L, Chen H, Pei T, Sun B. IGF2BP1-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression. Cancer Lett 2023; 557:216075. [PMID: 36736530 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and its associated RNA-binding protein insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) are involved in tumor initiation and progression. Here, we explored the biological function and clinical significance of IGF2BP1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). We found that IGF2BP1 expression was upregulated by H3K27 acetylation enrichment of its promoter, which positively correlated with poor clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that IGF2BP1 overexpression (knockdown) enhanced (attenuated) iCCA growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IGF2BP1 not only regulated the c-Myc/p16 axis to promote iCCA growth and inhibit senescence, but also activated the ZIC2/PAK4/AKT/MMP2 axis to induce tumor metastasis. More importantly, BTYNB, a recently identified IGF2BP1 inhibitor, exerted promising anti-tumor efficacy in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, and IGF2BP1 conditional knockout (cKO) reduced the tumor burden. These results demonstrate the crucial role of IGF2BP1 in iCCA progression via m6A-dependent modification, highlighting IGF2BP1 as a potential therapeutic target in iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Qinghui Meng
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Qingfu Lang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Zhijie Yin
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Guanqun Li
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Zhibo Li
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Yilin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Ze Yu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Qi Geng
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Liwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Le Li
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Tiemin Pei
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China.
| | - Bei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China.
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Sun Y, Shen W, Hu S, Lyu Q, Wang Q, Wei T, Zhu W, Zhang J. METTL3 promotes chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer by inducing mitophagy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:65. [PMID: 36932427 PMCID: PMC10022264 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02638-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer. Although most patients are initially sensitive to first-line combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide, chemotherapy drug resistance easily develops and quickly leads to tumour progression. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy drug resistance and how to reverse it is key to improving the prognosis of patients with SCLC. Moreover, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA modification and is catalysed by the methyltransferase complex, in which methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is the sole catalytic subunit. METHODS The effects of METTL3 on chemoresistance in SCLC cells were determined using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, cell counting kit (CCK-8) assays, flow cytometry, and tumorigenicity experiments. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq), MeRIP qPCR, immunofluorescence, and drug inhibitor experiments were performed to confirm the molecular mechanism of Decapping Protein 2 (DCP2), which is involved in the chemoresistance of SCLC. RESULTS In the present study, we found that METTL3 is a marker for poor SCLC prognosis, and it is highly expressed in chemoresistant SCLC cells. METTL3 promotes SCLC chemoresistance by positively regulating mitophagy. METTL3 induces m6A methylation of DCP2 and causes the degradation of DCP2, which promotes mitochondrial autophagy through the Pink1-Parkin pathway, leading to chemotherapy resistance. We also found that STM2457, a novel METTL3 inhibitor, can reverse SCLC chemoresistance. CONCLUSIONS The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 regulates Pink1-Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy and mitochondrial damage in SCLC cells by targeting DCP2, thereby promoting chemotherapy resistance in patients with SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqin Sun
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weitao Shen
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shulu Hu
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Lyu
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiongyao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Wei
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Weiliang Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Gao CQ, Chu ZZ, Zhang D, Xiao Y, Zhou XY, Wu JR, Yuan H, Jiang YC, Chen D, Zhang JC, Yao N, Chen KY, Hong J. Serine/threonine kinase TBK1 promotes cholangiocarcinoma progression via direct regulation of β-catenin. Oncogene 2023; 42:1492-1507. [PMID: 36928362 PMCID: PMC10154201 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous and metastatic malignancy with a poor prognosis even after curative hepatectomy. Studies exploring its pathogenesis and identifying effective therapeutic targets are urgently needed. In this study, we found that TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a serine/threonine-protein kinase, showed a dynamic increase during the different stages of murine spontaneous CCA carcinogenesis (hyperplasia, dysplasia, and CCA). TBK1 was upregulated in human tissues, including intrahepatic (n = 182) and extrahepatic (n = 40) CCA tissues, compared with nontumor tissues, and the elevated expression of TBK1 was positively correlated with larger tumour diameter, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage. Functional studies indicated that TBK1 promoted CCA growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. TBK1 directly interacts with β-catenin, promoting its phosphorylation at the S552 site and its nuclear translocation, which further activates EMT-related transcriptional reprogramming. GSK-8612, a TBK1 inhibitor or a kinase-inactivating mutation, effectively suppresses the above processes. In addition, we found that low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which mediates the endocytosis of cholesterol, was upregulated in CCA. Therefore, we designed a cholesterol-conjugated DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide targeting TBK1 (Cho-TBK1-HDO), which could accumulate in CCA cells via LDLR, reduce the TBK1 mRNA level and inhibit intrahepatic metastasis of CCA. Besides, in the experimental group of 182 ICC patients, high TBK1 expression combined with high nuclear β-catenin expression predicted a worse prognosis. In summary, TBK1 might serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Qing Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Chu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Xing-Yan Zhou
- School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Jun-Ru Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Chuan Jiang
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ji-Chun Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Hospital Of Integrated Traditional And West Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China. .,Department of Hepatological Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
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Chen L, Gao Y, Xu S, Yuan J, Wang M, Li T, Gong J. N6-methyladenosine reader YTHDF family in biological processes: Structures, roles, and mechanisms. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1162607. [PMID: 36999016 PMCID: PMC10043241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1162607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most abundant and conserved internal modification in eukaryote RNAs, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. The YT521-B homology (YTH) domain-containing family proteins (YTHDFs), including YTHDF1, YTHDF2, and YTHDF3, are a class of cytoplasmic m6A-binding proteins defined by the vertebrate YTH domain, and exert extensive functions in regulating RNA destiny. Distinct expression patterns of the YTHDF family in specific cell types or developmental stages result in prominent differences in multiple biological processes, such as embryonic development, stem cell fate, fat metabolism, neuromodulation, cardiovascular effect, infection, immunity, and tumorigenesis. The YTHDF family mediates tumor proliferation, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immunity, and possesses the potential of predictive and therapeutic biomarkers. Here, we mainly summary the structures, roles, and mechanisms of the YTHDF family in physiological and pathological processes, especially in multiple cancers, as well as their current limitations and future considerations. This will provide novel angles for deciphering m6A regulation in a biological system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Simiao Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinxiong Yuan
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Trauma Center/Department of Emergency and Traumatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Gong
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Gong,
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Chen J, Ye M, Bai J, Hu C, Lu F, Gu D, Yu P, Tang Q. Novel insights into the interplay between m6A modification and programmed cell death in cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:1748-1763. [PMID: 37063421 PMCID: PMC10092764 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, the most prevalent and abundant RNA modification in eukaryotes, has recently become a hot research topic. Several studies have indicated that m6A modification is dysregulated during the progression of multiple diseases, especially in cancer development. Programmed cell death (PCD) is an active and orderly method of cell death in the development of organisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. As the study of PCD has become increasingly profound, accumulating evidence has revealed the mutual regulation of m6A modification and PCD, and their interaction can further influence the sensitivity of cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in m6A modification and PCD in terms of their interplay and potential mechanisms, as well as cancer therapeutic resistance. Our study provides promising insights and future directions for the examination and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Qiyun Tang
- ✉ Corresponding author: Qiyun Tang, Department of Geriatric Gastroenterology, Neuroendocrine Tumor Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Institute of Neuroendocrine Tumor, Nanjing Medical University, NO. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China.
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Chu S, Li Y, Wu B, Rong G, Hou Q, Zhou Q, Du D, Li Y. METTL3 Promotes the Growth and Invasion of Melanoma Cells by Regulating the lncRNA SNHG3/miR-330-5p Axis. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897231188300. [PMID: 37606168 PMCID: PMC10467386 DOI: 10.1177/09636897231188300] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that m6A methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) plays a pivotal role in different malignancies including melanoma. However, the function and underlying mechanisms by which METTL3 contributes to the tumorigenesis of melanoma remain undocumented. The association of METTL3 and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in patients with melanoma was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and The Cancer Genome Atlas data sets. The role of METTL3 in melanoma cells was assessed by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The m6A dot blot, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP), and RT-qPCR were used to verify METTL3-mediated m6A modification of lncRNA SNHG3. The effect of METTL3 on lncRNA SNHG3 was determined by luciferase gene reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. We found that METTL3 was upregulated in melanoma tissue samples and associated with poor survival in patients with melanoma. Knockdown of METTL3 suppressed the growth and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas restored expression of METTL3 promoted these effects. Mechanistic investigations showed that knockdown of METTL3 reduced SNHG3 m6A levels and its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels. SNHG3 could act as a sponge of microRNA (miR)-330-5p to upregulate the expression of CCHC-type zinc finger nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP). SNHG3 overexpression reversed METTL3-knockdown-caused antitumor effects, miR-330-5p upregulation and CNBP downregulation. SNHG3 had a positive correlation with METTL3 expression but a negative correlation with miR-330-5p expression in melanoma tissue samples. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that METTL3-mediated m6A modification of lncRNA SNHG3 promoted the growth and invasion of melanoma cells by regulating the miR-330-5p/CNBP axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojun Chu
- Hair Medical Expert Committee of Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulong Li
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Baojin Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo Rong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Hou
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dexiang Du
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Testa U, Pelosi E, Castelli G. Cholangiocarcinoma: Molecular Abnormalities and Cells of Origin. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338221128689. [PMID: 36872875 PMCID: PMC9989414 DOI: 10.1177/15330338221128689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are a group of heterogeneous epithelial malignancies that can originate at the level of any location of the biliary tree. These tumors are relatively rare but associated with a high rate of mortality. CCAs are morphologically and molecularly heterogeneous and for their location can be distinguished as intracellular and extracellular, subdivided into perihilar and distal. Recent epidemiological, molecular, and cellular studies have supported that the consistent heterogeneity observed for CCAs may result from the convergence of various key elements mainly represented by risk factors, heterogeneity of the associated molecular abnormalities at genetic and epigenetic levels and by different potential cells of origin. These studies have consistently contributed to better defining the pathogenesis of CCAs and to identify in some instances new therapeutic targets. Although the therapeutic progress were still limited, these observations suggest that a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CCA in the future will help to develop more efficacious treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Testa
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Supeirore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elvira Pelosi
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Supeirore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Supeirore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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METTL3 promotes glycolysis and cholangiocarcinoma progression by mediating the m6A modification of AKR1B10. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:385. [PMID: 36476503 PMCID: PMC9730622 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is involved in governing the mechanism of tumor progression. We aimed to excavate the biological role and mechanism of the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS METTL3 expression was determined by database and tissue microarray analyses. The role of METTL3 in CCA was explored by loss- and gain-of-function experiments. The m6A target of METTL3 was detected by RNA sequencing. The role of AKR1B10 in CCA was explored, and the association between METTL3 and AKR1B10 was confirmed by rescue experiments. RESULT METTL3 expression was upregulated in CCA tissue, and higher METTL3 expression was implicated in poor prognoses in CCA patients. Overexpression of METTL3 facilitated proliferation, migration, invasion, glucose uptake, and lactate production in CCA cells, whereas knockdown of METTL3 had the opposite effects. We further found that METTL3 deficiency inhibited CCA tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing and MeRIP-qPCR confirmed that METTL3 enhanced AKR1B10 expression and m6A modification levels. Furthermore, METTL3 directly binds with AKR1B10 at an m6A modification site. A CCA tissue microarray showed that AKR1B10 expression was upregulated in CCA tissue and that silencing AKR1B10 suppressed the malignant phenotype mentioned above in CCA. Notably, knockdown of AKR1B10 rescued the tumor-promoting effects induced by METTL3 overexpression. CONCLUSION Elevated METTL3 expression promotes tumor growth and glycolysis in CCA through m6A modification of AKR1B10, indicating that METTL3 is a potential target for blocking glycolysis for application in CCA therapy.
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The mechanism of BUD13 m6A methylation mediated MBNL1-phosphorylation by CDK12 regulating the vasculogenic mimicry in glioblastoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1017. [PMID: 36463205 PMCID: PMC9719550 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05426-z] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an endothelium-independent tumor microcirculation that provides adequate blood supply for tumor growth. The presence of VM greatly hinders the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) with anti-angiogenic drugs. Therefore, targeting VM formation may be a feasible therapeutic strategy for GBM. The research aimed to evaluate the roles of BUD13, CDK12, MBNL1 in regulating VM formation of GBM. BUD13 and CDK12 were upregulated and MBNL1 was downregulated in GBM tissues and cells. Knockdown of BUD13, CDK12, or overexpression of MBNL1 inhibited GBM VM formation. METTL3 enhanced the stability of BUD13 mRNA and upregulated its expression through m6A methylation. BUD13 enhanced the stability of CDK12 mRNA and upregulated its expression. CDK12 phosphorylated MBNL1, thereby regulating VM formation of GBM. The simultaneous knockdown of BUD13, CDK12, and overexpression of MBNL1 reduced the volume of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in nude mice and prolonged the survival period. Thus, the BUD13/CDK12/MBNL1 axis plays a crucial role in regulating VM formation of GBM and provides a potential target for GBM therapy.
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Jin Z, Liu Y. Identification of Novel m6A-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signatures for Cholangiocarcinoma Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analyses. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2022.3471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Traditional methods used to treat cholangiocarcinoma are less effective, and the identification of new CHOL signature genes can help in the early clinical diagnosis and intervention of cholangiocarcinoma. In this work, we used integrated bioinformatics analysis to find new m6a-associated
lncRNA signatures in cholangiocarcinoma. Pearson correlation test was used to identify m6A-lncRNAs by co-expression analysis of m6A-mrna and lncRNAs. we then selected m6A-lncRNAs co-expressed with METTL3 and METTL14 genes and screened for DEm6A-lncRNAs by comparing expression differences.
we then used R package of Spearman coefficient correlation analysis to investigate the relevance of m6A-lncrna expression in CHOL. To determine the relative levels of immune cell infiltration, we performed ssGSEA analysis on all samples using the R package, and then we used graphs to illustrate
the differences in immune cell infiltration between the CHOL and NC groups. The results of this study will help to identify new CHOL-causing biosignatures, which are important for the early clinical detection and management of CHOL.
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Su Z, Xu L, Dai X, Zhu M, Chen X, Li Y, Li J, Ge R, Cheng B, Wang Y. Prognostic and clinicopathological value of m6A regulators in human cancers: a meta-analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:8818-8838. [DOI: 10.18632/aging.204371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhangci Su
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Leyao Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xinning Dai
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Mengyao Zhu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodan Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jie Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ruihan Ge
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yun Wang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Ge F, Li Z, Hu J, Pu Y, Zhao F, Kong L. METTL3/m 6A/IFIT2 regulates proliferation, invasion and immunity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1002565. [PMID: 36386128 PMCID: PMC9644211 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1002565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in the development, progression, and treatment of tumors. The most common chemical modification of mRNA, called m6A, is essential for controlling mRNA stability, splicing, and translation. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is an important m6A methyltransferase. The mechanism of action of METTL3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. In this investigation, we sought to clarify the function and clinical importance of METTL3 in ESCC and investigate its underlying mechanisms. We discovered that METTL3 has a significant proliferative effect in ESCC cells by using lentiviral construction of stable cell lines overexpressing METTL3 (METTL3-OE) and knocking down METTL3 (sh-METTL3). To create a xenograft tumor model, we inoculated KYSE510 cells subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice and discovered that sh-METTL3 inhibited the tumorigenicity of esophageal cancer KYSE510 cells in the nude mouse tumor model. MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis revealed IFIT2 to be a METTL3 target gene. The findings revealed that METTL3 regulates IFIT2 and thus influences malignant biological behaviors such as proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC, as well as the immune microenvironment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Department of Provincial Clinical College, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Department of Provincial Clinical College, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Jiaru Hu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Youguang Pu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Cancer Epigenetics Program, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Fangfang Zhao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Cancer Epigenetics Program, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lingsuo Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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