HNRNPA2B1 Affects the Prognosis of Esophageal Cancer by Regulating the miR-17-92 Cluster

ALKBH5-mediated m6A regulates the alternative splicing events of SRSF10 in ovarian cancer

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation was found to be involved in the tumorigenesis and development of ovarian cancer. Until now, it is not clear to identify the mechanism by m6A demethylase ALKBH5 affects RNA splicing in ovarian cancer. In this study, we examined ALKBH5 protein expression and m6A levels by immunohistochemistry and analyzed their correlation with clinical features and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. We identified the elevated expression of ALKBH5 and a general reduction in the level of m6A in ovarian cancer patients. In the ovarian cancer cell line A2780, ALKBH5 depletion was found using the siRNA strategy or the CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) method, which significantly reduced the level of m6A and inhibited cell viability, proliferation, and migration. The MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq showed that ALKBH5-regulated m6A RNA modification mainly affects RNA splicing function in ovarian cancer cells. SRSF10 is a key target gene involved in alternative splicing regulation through ALKBH5-m6A. ALKBH5 knockdown resulted in increased retention of SRSF10 exon 5 and decreased expression of transcript SRSF10-211. In conclusion, the alternative splicing regulation effect by ALKBH5-mediated m6A suggests a novel promising approach for m6A modification in OC and provides novel insights into the mechanisms involved in ovarian cancer therapy.

Regulatory mechanisms of m6A RNA methylation in esophageal cancer: a comprehensive review

Esophageal cancer is an aggressively malignant neoplasm characterized by a high mortality rate. Frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, it presents challenges for optimal therapeutic intervention due to its non-specific symptoms, resulting in lost opportunities for effective treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and target therapy. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification represents the most critical post-transcriptional modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA). The reversible m6A modification is mediated by three regulatory factors: m6A methyltransferases, demethylating enzymes, and m6A recognition proteins. These components identify and bind to specific RNA methylation sites, thereby modulating essential biological functions such as RNA processing, nuclear export, stability, translation and degradation, which significantly influence tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Given the importance of m6A modification, this paper offers a comprehensive examination of the regulatory mechanisms, biological functions, and future therapeutic implications of m6A RNA methylation in the context of esophageal cancer.

The role of N(6)-methyladenosine (m6a) modification in cancer: recent advances and future directions

N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most abundant and prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. The role of m6A modification in cancer has become a hot research topic in recent years and has been widely explored. m6A modifications have been shown to regulate cancer occurrence and progression by modulating different target molecules. This paper reviews the recent research progress of m6A modifications in cancer and provides an outlook on future research directions, especially the development of molecularly targeted drugs. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

CD271 mRNA/hnRNPA2B1 complex promotes proliferation and stemness in oral and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

RNAs, such as noncoding RNA, microRNA, and recently mRNA, have been recognized as signal transduction molecules. CD271, also known as nerve growth factor receptor, has a critical role in cancer, although the precise mechanism is still unclear. Here, we show that CD271 mRNA, but not CD271 protein, facilitates spheroid cell proliferation. We established CD271-/- cells lacking both mRNA and protein of CD271, as well as CD271 protein knockout cells lacking only CD271 protein, from hypopharyngeal and oral squamous cell carcinoma lines. Sphere formation was reduced in CD271-/- cells but not in CD271 protein knockout cells. Mutated CD271 mRNA, which is not translated to a protein, promoted sphere formation. CD271 mRNA bound to hnRNPA2B1 protein at the 3'-UTR region, and the inhibition of this interaction reduced sphere formation. In surgical specimens, the CD271 mRNA/protein expression ratio was higher in the cancerous area than in the noncancerous area. These data suggest CD271 mRNA has dual functions, encompassing protein-coding and noncoding roles, with its noncoding RNA function being predominant in oral and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The emerging role of m6A modification of non-coding RNA in gastrointestinal cancers: a comprehensive review

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a series of malignant tumors with a high incidence globally. Although approaches for tumor diagnosis and therapy have advanced substantially, the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of GI cancer are still unclear. Increasing evidence supports an important role for N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in many biological processes, including cancer-related processes via splicing, export, degradation, and translation of mRNAs. Under distinct cancer contexts, m6A regulators have different expression patterns and can regulate or be regulated by mRNAs and non-coding RNAs, especially long non-coding RNAs. The roles of m6A in cancer development have attracted increasing attention in epigenetics research. In this review, we synthesize progress in our understanding of m6A and its roles in GI cancer, especially esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Furthermore, we clarify the mechanism by which m6A contributes to GI cancer, providing a basis for the development of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets.

The implications of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in esophageal carcinoma

Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is always diagnosed at advanced stage and its the mortality rate remains high. The patients usually miss the best opportunity for treatment because of non-specific symptoms and the survival rates are low. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) the predominant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA(mRNA), serves vital roles in numerous bioprocess. This chemical modification is dynamic, reversible and consists of three regulators: m6A methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers) and m6A-binding proteins (readers). Recently, a growing number of evidences have indicated relationships between m6A and EC. Whereas, lacking of cognition about the molecular mechanism of m6A modification in esophageal carcinoma. We will focus on the biological function roles of m6A modification in the tumorigenesis and development of EC. Recent studies showed that immunotherapy had a positive impact on EC. The relationship between m6A and immunotherapy in EC deserves further research and discussion. We will also discuss the potential clinical applications regarding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of m6A modification for EC and provide perspectives for further studies.

HNRNPA2B1-mediated m6A modification of lncRNA MEG3 facilitates tumorigenesis and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating miR-21-5p/PTEN axis

BACKGROUND

Accumulating data indicate that N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA methylation and lncRNA deregulation act crucial roles in cancer progression. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (HNRNPA2B1) as an m⁶A "reader" has been reported to be an oncogene in multiple malignancies. We herein aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanism by which HNRNPA2B1-mediated m⁶A modification of lncRNAs contributes to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

The expression levels of HNRNPA2B1 and their association with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in NSCLC were determined by RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and TCGA dataset. Then, the role of HNRNPA2B1 in NSCLC cells was assessed by in vitro functional experiments and in vivo tumorigenesis and lung metastasis models. HNRNPA2B1-mediated m⁶A modification of lncRNAs was screened by m⁶A-lncRNA epi-transcriptomic microarray and verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP). The lncRNA MEG3-specific binding with miR-21-5p was evaluated by luciferase gene report and RIP assays. The effects of HNRNPA2B1 and (or) lncRNA MEG3 on miR-21-5p/PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

We found that upregulation of HNRNPA2B1 was associated with distant metastasis and poor survival, representing an independent prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC. Knockdown of HNRNPA2B1 impaired cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of HNRNPA2B1 possessed the opposite effects. Mechanical investigations revealed that lncRNA MEG3 was an m⁶A target of HNRNPA2B1 and inhibition of HNRNPA2B1 decreased MEG3 m⁶A levels but increased its mRNA levels. Furthermore, lncRNA MEG3 could act as a sponge of miR-21-5p to upregulate PTEN and inactivate PI3K/AKT signaling, leading to the suppression of cell proliferation and invasion. Low expression of lncRNA MEG3 or elevated expression of miR-21-5p indicated poor survival in patients with NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings uncover that HNRNPA2B1-mediated m⁶A modification of lncRNA MEG3 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of NSCLC cells by regulating miR-21-5p/PTEN axis and may provide a therapeutic target for NSCLC.

The emerging role of N6-methyladenine RNA methylation in metal ion metabolism and metal-induced carcinogenesis

N⁶-methyladenine (m⁶A) is the most common and abundant internal modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, which can regulate gene expression and perform important biological tasks. Metal ions participate in nucleotide biosynthesis and repair, signal transduction, energy generation, immune defense, and other important metabolic processes. However, long-term environmental and occupational exposure to metals through food, air, soil, water, and industry can result in toxicity, serious health problems, and cancer. Recent evidence indicates dynamic and reversible m⁶A modification modulates various metal ion metabolism, such as iron absorption, calcium uptake and transport. In turn, environmental heavy metal can alter m⁶A modification by directly affecting catalytic activity and expression level of methyltransferases and demethylases, or through reactive oxygen species, eventually disrupting normal biological function and leading to diseases. Therefore, m⁶A RNA methylation may play a bridging role in heavy metal pollution-induced carcinogenesis. This review discusses interaction among heavy metal, m⁶A, and metal ions metabolism, and their regulatory mechanism, focuses on the role of m⁶A methylation and heavy metal pollution in cancer. Finally, the role of nutritional therapy that targeting m⁶A methylation to prevent metal ion metabolism disorder-induced cancer is summarized.

Tissue proteome analysis for profiling proteins associated with lymph node metastasis in gallbladder cancer

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is the earliest sign of metastatic spread and an established predictor of poor outcome in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Patients with LN positive GBC have a significantly worse survival (median survival- 7 months) than patients with LN negative disease (median survival- ~ 23 months) in spite of standard treatment which includes extended surgery followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy. This study aims at understanding the underlying molecular processes associated with LN metastasis in GBC. Here, we used iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis using tissue cohort comprising of primary tumor of LN negative GBC (n = 3), LN positive GBC (n = 4) and non-tumor controls (Gallstone disease, n = 4), to identify proteins associated with LN metastasis. A total of 58 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found to be specifically associated with LN positive GBC based on the criteria of p value ≤ 0.05, fold change ≥ 2 and unique peptides ≥ 2. These include the cytoskeleton and associated proteins such as keratin, type II cytoskeletal 7 (KRT7), keratin type I cytoskeletal 19 (KRT19), vimentin (VIM), sorcin (SRI) and nuclear proteins such as nucleophosmin Isoform 1 (NPM1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1 isoform X1 (HNRNPA2B1). Some of them are reported to be involved in promoting cell invasion and metastasis. Bioinformatic analysis of the deregulated proteins in LN positive GBC using STRING database identified 'neutrophil degranulation' and 'HIF1 activation' to be among the top deregulated pathways. Western blot and IHC analysis showed a significant overexpression of KRT7 and SRI in LN positive GBC in comparison to LN negative GBC. KRT7, SRI and other proteins may be further explored for their diagnostics and therapeutic applications in LN positive GBC.

The diverse role of RNA methylation in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is one of the major life-threatening diseases in the world. RNA methylation is the most common post-transcriptional modification and a wide-ranging regulatory system controlling gene expression. Numerous studies have revealed that dysregulation of RNA methylation is critical for cancer development and progression. However, the diverse role of RNA methylation and its regulators in esophageal cancer remains to be elucidated and summarized. In this review, we focus on the regulation of major RNA methylation, including m ⁶A, m ⁵C, and m ⁷G, as well as the expression patterns and clinical implications of its regulators in esophageal cancer. We systematically summarize how these RNA modifications affect the "life cycle" of target RNAs, including mRNA, microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and tRNA. The downstream signaling pathways associated with RNA methylation during the development and treatment of esophageal cancer are also discussed in detail. Further studies on how these modifications function together in the microenvironment of esophageal cancer will draw a clearer picture of the clinical application of novel and specific therapeutic strategies.

HNRNPA2B1-Mediated MicroRNA-92a Upregulation and Section Acts as a Promising Noninvasive Diagnostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer

MicroRNA-92a (miR-92a) may serve as a novel promising biomarker in multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the diagnostic accuracy and the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-92a in CRC is poorly understood. We first carried out meta-analysis and found that serum/plasma miR-92a yield better diagnostic efficacy when compared to stool samples and CRC tissues, and this finding was validated by our independent study through stool sample. Multiple bioinformatics assay indicated that miR-92a expression was positively correlated with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1) expression and closely related with the clinical characteristics of CRC. Experimental evidence showed that knockdown of HNRNPA2B1 could significantly decrease miR-92a expression and secretion in RKO cells. HNRNPA2B1 mediated miR-92a via m6A RNA modification. These findings indicate that HNRNPA2B1-m6A RNA modification-derived MicroRNA-92a upregulation and section from the local CRC acts a candidate noninvasive serum biomarker in colorectal cancer. Our study provides a novel insight into miR-92a mechanisms in relation to both expression and secretion for CRC diagnosis.

METTL14-dependent maturation of pri-miR-17 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis and induces chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

miR-17-5p has been found to be involved in the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC), and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most common RNA modification in eukaryotes. However, whether miR-17-5p contributes to chemotherapy sensitivity in CRC via m6A modification is unclear. In this study, we found that overexpression of miR-17-5p led to less apoptosis and lower drug sensitivity in vitro and in vivo under the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment, which indicated miR-17-5p led to 5-FU chemotherapy resistance. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that miR-17-5p-mediated chemoresistance was associated with mitochondrial homeostasis. miR-17-5p directly bound to the 3' untranslated region of Mitofusin 2 (MFN2), leading to decreased mitochondrial fusion and enhanced mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. Meanwhile, methyltransferase-like protein 14 (METTL14) was downregulated in CRC, resulting in lower m6A level. Moreover, the low level of METTL14 promoted the expression of pri-miR-17 and miR-17-5p. Further experiments suggested that m6A mRNA methylation initiated by METTL14 inhibits pri-miR-17 mRNA decay via reducing the recognition of YTHDC2 to the "GGACC" binding site. The METTL14/miR-17-5p/MFN2 signaling axis may play a critical role in 5-FU chemoresistance in CRC.

Effects of writers, erasers and readers within miRNA-related m6A modification in cancers

BACKGROUND

As one of the most abundant post-transcriptional mRNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has attracted extensive attention from scientists. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A modification plays a significant role in cancer-related signalling pathways. Existing research demonstrates that m6A modifications were also identified in miRNAs and contribute to cancer-related signalling pathways.

METHODS

A literature retrieval has been performed to collect m6A-miRNA-related original articles published in recent years. Later, a systematic analysis has been conducted to abstract and classify the relationships between m6A modification and miRNAs, and their contributions to tumorigenesis and cancer development.

RESULTS

Accumulating literature provides important insights into multiple relationships between m6A modifications and miRNAs. Mechanically, m6A writer and eraser alter pri-miRNAs m6A levels, and m6A readers could dually modulate pri-miRNAs processing and pri-miRNAs degradation. It is also been demonstrated that miRNAs impair m6A regulators' translation to influence m6A medication function in return. Aberrant expressions of m6A regulators and miRNAs could dysregulate proliferative, apoptosis, cell adhesion-related, and malignant transformation signalling pathways, and contribute to tumour occurrence and development.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the interrelationship between m6A modification and miRNAs; highlights the combined effects of each type of m6A regulator and miRNAs in cancers. These findings enhance our understanding of m6A-miRNAs' multiple interactions and significant modulatory role in tumorigenesis and progression.

The landscape of m6A regulators in esophageal cancer: molecular characteristics, immuno-oncology features, and clinical relevance

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are the two main pathological types of esophageal cancer (EC), which differ in molecular features, genetic variation, and treatment sensitivity. However, as a key process in tumorigenesis and development, the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is not fully understood.

Methods

This study systematically compared the role of m6A regulators of ESCC and EAC in terms of molecular characteristics, immuno-oncology characteristics, and clinical relevance, and validated our findings in a long-term follow-up patient cohort.

Results

There were many differences in m6A regulators between ESCC and EAC in terms of expression patterns, genetic variation, association with tumor pathways, immune signatures, and immunotherapy sensitivity. Furthermore, VIRMA was identified as a factor with opposite functional and prognostic effects in ESCC and EAC. ESCC patients with high VIRMA expression and EAC patients with low VIRMA expression had a better prognosis. Single-center data showed that low expression of FTO may be associated with superior immunotherapy efficacy in ESCC patients.

Conclusions

The results herein provide novel ideas for understanding the tumor characteristics, occurrence, and development of ESCC and EAC, and suggest new targets for the treatment and intervention of EC.

The Role of m6A Modification and m6A Regulators in Esophageal Cancer

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, the most prevalent RNA modification, is involved in all aspects of RNA metabolism, including RNA processing, nuclear export, stability, translation and degradation. Therefore, m6A modification can participate in various physiological functions, such as tissue development, heat shock response, DNA damage response, circadian clock control and even in carcinogenesis through regulating the expression or structure of the gene. The deposition, removal and recognition of m6A are carried out by methyltransferases, demethylases and m6A RNA binding proteins, respectively. Aberrant m6A modification and the dysregulation of m6A regulators play critical roles in the occurrence and development of various cancers. The pathogenesis of esophageal cancer (ESCA) remains unclear and the five-year survival rate of advanced ESCA patients is still dismal. Here, we systematically reviewed the recent studies of m6A modification and m6A regulators in ESCA and comprehensively analyzed the role and possible mechanism of m6A modification and m6A regulators in the occurrence, progression, remedy and prognosis of ESCA. Defining the effect of m6A modification and m6A regulators in ESCA might be helpful for determining the pathogenesis of ESCA and providing some ideas for an early diagnosis, individualized treatment and improved prognosis of ESCA patients.

Nucleophosmin 1 is a prognostic marker of gastrointestinal cancer and is associated with m6A and cuproptosis

Background: NPM1 is highly expressed in a variety of solid tumors and promotes tumor development. However, there are few comprehensive studies on NPM1 analysis in gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods: We used bioinformatics tools to study the expression difference of NPM1 between gastrointestinal cancer and control group, and analyzed the relationship between its expression level and the diagnosis, prognosis, functional signaling pathway, immune infiltration, m6A and cuproptosis related genes of gastrointestinal cancer. At the same time, the expression difference of NPM1 between esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) samples and control samples was verified by in vitro experiments.

Results: NPM1 was overexpressed in gastrointestinal cancer. In vitro experiments confirmed that the expression of NPM1 in ESCA samples was higher than that in normal samples. The expression of NPM1 has high accuracy in predicting the outcome of gastrointestinal cancer. The expression of NPM1 is closely related to the prognosis of multiple gastrointestinal cancers. Go and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that NPM1 co-expressed genes involved in a variety of biological functions. NPM1 expression is potentially associated with a variety of immune cell infiltration, m6A and cuproptosis related genes in gastrointestinal cancers.

Conclusion: NPM1 can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of gastrointestinal cancer, which is related to the immune cell infiltration and the regulation of m6A and cuproptosis.

Identification of clinical prognostic features of esophageal cancer based on m6A regulators

Background

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a common malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. n6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators have been widely recognized as one of the major causes of cancer development and progression. However, for ESCA, the role of regulators is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of m6A RNA methylation regulators in the immune regulation and prognosis of ESCA.

Methods

RNA-seq data were downloaded using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the expression differences of m6A RNA methylation regulators in ESCA were analyzed. Further m6A methylation regulator markers were constructed, and prognostic and predictive values were assessed using survival analysis and nomograms. Patients were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups. The signature was evaluated in terms of survival, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), copy number variation (CNV), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and functional enrichment analysis (TMB). The m6A expression of key genes in clinical specimens was validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

In ESCA tissues, most of the 23 regulators were significantly differentially expressed. LASSO regression analysis included 7 m6A-related factors (FMR1, RBMX, IGFBP1, IGFBP2, ALKBH5, RBM15B, METTL14). In addition, this study also identified that the risk model is associated with biological functions, including base metabolism, DNA repair, and mismatch repair. In this study, a nomogram was created to predict the prognosis of ESCA patients. Bioinformatics analysis of human ESCA and normal tissues was performed using qRT-PCR. Finally. Seven genetic features were found to be associated with m6A in ESCA patients. The results of this study suggest that three different clusters of m6A modifications are involved in the immune microenvironment of ESCA, providing important clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Pyroptosis correlates with tumor immunity and prognosis

Pyroptosis, as a proinflammatory form of regulated cell death, plays an important role in multiple cancers. However, the diagnostic and prognostic values of pyroptosis and its interaction with tumor immunity in pan-cancer are still unclear. Here, we show an elevated general expression of 17 pyroptosis-associated genes of tumor patients with high-immune-activity and a reduced pyroptosis in low-immune-activity tumors. Moreover, pyroptosis is positively correlated with immune infiltration and immune-related signatures across 30 types of cancer. Furthermore, our experimental data suggest that pyroptosis directly modulate the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and cytokines. We generate a pyroptosis score model as a potential independent prognostic indicator in melanoma patients. Interestingly, 3 of pyroptosis-associated genes including CASP1, CASP4 and PYCARD, can predict the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for patients with melanoma. Our study demonstrates that pyroptosis correlates with tumor immunity and prognosis, might be used as a potential target for immune therapy.

A pan-cancer analysis demonstrates that pyroptosis is involved in tumor development, prognosis and immunotherapy through the promotion of tumor immunity.

Role of m6A writers, erasers and readers in cancer

The N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most pervasive modification of human RNAs. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have suggested that m6A likely plays important roles in cancers. Many studies have demonstrated that m6A is involved in the biological functions of cancer cells, such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In addition, m6A is closely related to the prognosis of cancer patients. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the function of m6A in various cancers. We emphasize the importance of m6A to cancer progression and look forward to describe future research directions.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B: an emerging group of cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B (hnRNPA/B) is one of the core members of the RNA binding protein (RBP) hnRNPs family, including four main subtypes, A0, A1, A2/B1 and A3, which share the similar structure and functions. With the advance in understanding the molecular biology of hnRNPA/B, it has been gradually revealed that hnRNPA/B plays a critical role in almost the entire steps of RNA life cycle and its aberrant expression and mutation have important effects on the occurrence and progression of various cancers. This review focuses on the clinical significance of hnRNPA/B in various cancers and systematically summarizes its biological function and molecular mechanisms.

Analysis of N6-Methyladenosine Methylome in Adenocarcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction

Background: From previous studies, we found that there are more than 100 types of RNA modifications in RNA molecules. m⁶A methylation is the most common. The incidence rate of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) at home and abroad has increased faster than that of stomach cancer at other sites in recent years. Here, we systematically analyze the modification pattern of m⁶A mRNA in adenocarcinoma at the esophagogastric junction.

Methods: m⁶A sequencing, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis were used to describe the m⁶A modification pattern in adenocarcinoma and normal tissues at the esophagogastric junction.

Results: In AEG samples, a total of 4,775 new m⁶A peaks appeared, and 3,054 peaks disappeared. The unique m6A-related genes in AEG are related to cancer-related pathways. There are hypermethylated or hypomethylated m⁶A peaks in AEG in differentially expressed mRNA transcripts.

Conclusion: This study preliminarily constructed the first m⁶A full transcriptome map of human AEG. This has a guiding role in revealing the mechanism of m⁶A-mediated gene expression regulation.

RNA m6A Methylation Regulators Multi-Omics Analysis in Prostate Cancer

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is known to be the most popular RNA modification in animals. Many research reports have elaborated on the effects of m6A regulators in medical practice, such as diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. M6A modification has evident impacts on many aspects of RNA metabolism, just like RNA splicing, processing, translation, and stability. M6A also has a magnificent role in numerous types of cancers. We analyzed the prostate cancer datasets, from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, for every recognized m6A regulator in their gene expression, DNA methylation status and copy number variations (CNVs). We also systematically analyzed the relationship between different m6A regulators and the prognosis of prostate cancer. The results illustrated considerable differences in the expression of various m6A regulators between the prostate and normal cancer samples. At the same time, there were evident differences in the expression of various m6A regulators in prostate cancers with different Gleason scores. Subsequently, we determined CBLL1, FTO, YTHDC1, HNRNPA2B1 as crucial m6A regulators of prostate cancer. Premised on the expression of CBLL1, we also identified potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer, and knockdown of FTO prominently inhibited prostate cells migration and invasion in vitro experiment.