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Yu M, Ji W, Yang X, Tian K, Ma X, Yu S, Chen L, Zhao X. The role of m6A demethylases in lung cancer: diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279735. [PMID: 38094306 PMCID: PMC10716209 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279735] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
m6A is the most prevalent internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA, and plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and various other biological processes. Lung cancer is a common primary malignant tumor of the lungs, which involves multiple factors in its occurrence and progression. Currently, only the demethylases FTO and ALKBH5 have been identified as associated with m6A modification. These demethylases play a crucial role in regulating the growth and invasion of lung cancer cells by removing methyl groups, thereby influencing stability and translation efficiency of mRNA. Furthermore, they participate in essential biological signaling pathways, making them potential targets for intervention in lung cancer treatment. Here we provides an overview of the involvement of m6A demethylase in lung cancer, as well as their potential application in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Yu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wenqian Ji
- College of International Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Kai Tian
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Shali Yu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Nantong Institute of Liver Diseases, Nantong Third People’s Hospital Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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102
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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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103
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Lin Y, Shi H, Wu L, Ge L, Ma Z. Research progress of N6-methyladenosine in colorectal cancer: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36394. [PMID: 38013272 PMCID: PMC10681580 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide, causing serious harm to human health. Epigenetic modification, especially RNA methylation modification, plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer via post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA and non-coding RNA expression. Among these, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common chemical modification in mammals, which plays an important role in the progress of cancer, including colorectal cancer. m6A is a dynamic and reversible process and is mainly regulated by m6A methyltransferase ("writers"), m6A demethylases ("erasers"), and m6A binding proteins ("readers"). Herein, we reviewed recent advances in the role of m6A modification in colorectal cancer and focused on the factors affecting m6A modification. Furthermore, we discussed the clinical application of m6A modifications for colorectal cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and provided guides in clinical practice. m6A modification and m6A regulators play significant roles in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer by regulating the stability and translation of mRNAs, the maturation of miRNAs, and the function of lncRNAs. m6A regulators can play biological roles in colorectal cancer through m6A-dependent manner or m6A-independent manner. Multiplies of internal factors, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, and external factors can also regulate the m6A modification by completing with m6A regulators in a base complement manner, regulating the expression of m6A and mutating the m6A site. m6A regulators and m6A modificantion are diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC. Therefore, m6A regulators and m6A modificantion may be potential therapeutic target for CRC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lin
- Department of Respiratory, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongjun Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Lianping Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Linyang Ge
- Department of Respiratory, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Zengqing Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Gaochun People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
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104
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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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105
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Chen X, Xie L, Sheehy R, Xiong Y, Muneer A, Wrobel J, Park KS, Liu J, Velez J, Luo Y, Li YD, Quintanilla L, Li Y, Xu C, Wen Z, Song J, Jin J, Deshmukh M. Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer's disease proteopathology for precision medication. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2743792. [PMID: 38045363 PMCID: PMC10690335 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2743792/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects.
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106
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Araujo Tavares RDC, Mahadeshwar G, Wan H, Pyle AM. MRT-ModSeq - Rapid Detection of RNA Modifications with MarathonRT. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168299. [PMID: 37802215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modifications are essential regulatory elements that modulate the behavior and function of cellular RNAs. Despite recent advances in sequencing-based RNA modification mapping, methods combining accuracy and speed are still lacking. Here, we introduce MRT-ModSeq for rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple RNA modifications using MarathonRT. MRT-ModSeq employs distinct divalent cofactors to generate 2-D mutational profiles that are highly dependent on nucleotide identity and modification type. As a proof of concept, we use the MRT fingerprints of well-studied rRNAs to implement a general workflow for detecting RNA modifications. MRT-ModSeq rapidly detects positions of diverse modifications across a RNA transcript, enabling assignment of m1acp3Y, m1A, m3U, m7G and 2'-OMe locations through mutation-rate filtering and machine learning. m1A sites in sparsely modified targets, such as MALAT1 and PRUNE1 could also be detected. MRT-ModSeq can be trained on natural and synthetic transcripts to expedite detection of diverse RNA modification subtypes across targets of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gandhar Mahadeshwar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. https://twitter.com/gandzmakerdance
| | - Han Wan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. https://twitter.com/HanWan19744358
| | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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107
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Qiao Z, Li Y, Cheng Y, Li S, Liu S. SHMT2 regulates esophageal cancer cell progression and immune Escape by mediating m6A modification of c-myc. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:203. [PMID: 37932821 PMCID: PMC10629073 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01148-7] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the role of altered cellular metabolism in tumor progression has attracted widespread attention. Related metabolic enzymes have also been considered as potential cancer therapeutic targets. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) has been reported to be upregulated in several cancers and associated with poor prognosis. However, there are few studies of SHMT2 in esophageal cancer (EC), and the related functions and mechanisms also need to be further explored. METHODS In this study, we first analyzed SHMT2 expression in EC by online database and clinical samples. Then, the biological functions of SHMT2 in EC were investigated by cell and animal experiments. The intracellular m6A methylation modification levels were also evaluated by MeRIP. Linked genes and mechanisms of SHMT2 were analyzed by bioinformatics and rescue experiments. RESULTS We found that SHMT2 expression was abnormally upregulated in EC and associated with poor prognosis. Functionally, SHMT2 silencing suppressed c-myc expression in an m6A-dependent manner, thereby blocking the proliferation, migration, invasion and immune escape abilities of EC cells. Mechanistically, SHMT2 encouraged the accumulation of methyl donor SAM through a one-carbon metabolic network, thereby regulating the m6A modification and stability of c-myc mRNA in a METTL3/FTO/ALKBH5/IGF2BP2-dependent way. In vivo animal experiments also demonstrated that SHMT2 mediated MYC expression by m6A-methylation modification, thus boosting EC tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our data illustrated that SHMT2 regulated malignant progression and immune escape of EC cell through c-myc m6A modification. These revealed mechanisms related to SHMT2 in EC and maybe offer promise for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Qiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 157, West 5th Road, 710004, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 157, West 5th Road, 710004, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 157, West 5th Road, 710004, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shaomin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 157, West 5th Road, 710004, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shiyuan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 157, West 5th Road, 710004, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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108
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Wang Y, Traugot CM, Bubenik JL, Li T, Sheng P, Hiers NM, Fernandez P, Li L, Bian J, Swanson MS, Xie M. N 6-methyladenosine in 7SK small nuclear RNA underlies RNA polymerase II transcription regulation. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3818-3834.e7. [PMID: 37820733 PMCID: PMC10873123 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.09.020] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications play crucial roles in RNA metabolism. How m6A regulates RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) transcription remains unclear. We find that 7SK small nuclear RNA (snRNA), a regulator of RNA Pol II promoter-proximal pausing, is highly m6A-modified in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. In A549 cells, we identified eight m6A sites on 7SK and discovered methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) as the responsible writer and eraser. When the m6A-7SK is specifically erased by a dCasRx-ALKBH5 fusion protein, A549 cell growth is attenuated due to reduction of RNA Pol II transcription. Mechanistically, removal of m6A leads to 7SK structural rearrangements that facilitate sequestration of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex, which results in reduction of serine 2 phosphorylation (Ser2P) in the RNA Pol II C-terminal domain and accumulation of RNA Pol II in the promoter-proximal region. Taken together, we uncover that m6A modifications of a non-coding RNA regulate RNA Pol II transcription and NSCLC tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Conner M Traugot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jodi L Bubenik
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tianqi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Peike Sheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nicholas M Hiers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paul Fernandez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jiang Bian
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mingyi Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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109
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Wang C, Hou X, Guan Q, Zhou H, Zhou L, Liu L, Liu J, Li F, Li W, Liu H. RNA modification in cardiovascular disease: implications for therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:412. [PMID: 37884527 PMCID: PMC10603151 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01638-7] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world, with a high incidence and a youth-oriented tendency. RNA modification is ubiquitous and indispensable in cell, maintaining cell homeostasis and function by dynamically regulating gene expression. Accumulating evidence has revealed the role of aberrant gene expression in CVD caused by dysregulated RNA modification. In this review, we focus on nine common RNA modifications: N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N4-acetylcytosine (ac4C), pseudouridine (Ψ), uridylation, adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, and modifications of U34 on tRNA wobble. We summarize the key regulators of RNA modification and their effects on gene expression, such as RNA splicing, maturation, transport, stability, and translation. Then, based on the classification of CVD, the mechanisms by which the disease occurs and progresses through RNA modifications are discussed. Potential therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, are reviewed based on these mechanisms. Herein, some of the CVD (such as stroke and peripheral vascular disease) are not included due to the limited availability of literature. Finally, the prospective applications and challenges of RNA modification in CVD are discussed for the purpose of facilitating clinical translation. Moreover, we look forward to more studies exploring the mechanisms and roles of RNA modification in CVD in the future, as there are substantial uncultivated areas to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuyang Hou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qing Guan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, The Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jijia Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Haidan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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110
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Xie L, Sheehy RN, Xiong Y, Muneer A, Wrobel JA, Park KS, Velez J, Liu J, Luo YJ, Li YD, Quintanilla L, Li Y, Xu C, Deshmukh M, Wen Z, Jin J, Song J, Chen X. Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer's disease proteopathology for precision medication. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.25.23297491. [PMID: 37961307 PMCID: PMC10635198 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.25.23297491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects. One-Sentence Summary A brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks G9a translational mechanism to reverse Alzheimer's disease related proteome for effective therapy.
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111
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Larivera S, Neumeier J, Meister G. Post-transcriptional gene silencing in a dynamic RNP world. Biol Chem 2023; 404:1051-1067. [PMID: 37739934 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA)-guided gene silencing is a key regulatory process in various organisms and linked to many human diseases. MiRNAs are processed from precursor molecules and associate with Argonaute proteins to repress the expression of complementary target mRNAs. Excellent work by numerous labs has contributed to a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of miRNA function. However, miRNA effects have mostly been analyzed and viewed as isolated events and their natural environment as part of complex RNA-protein particles (RNPs) is often neglected. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate key enzymes of the miRNA processing machinery and furthermore RBPs or readers of RNA modifications may modulate miRNA activity on mRNAs. Such proteins may function similarly to miRNAs and add their own contributions to the overall expression level of a particular gene. Therefore, post-transcriptional gene regulation might be more the sum of individual regulatory events and should be viewed as part of a dynamic and complex RNP world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Larivera
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julia Neumeier
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
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Zhang Q, Deng K, Liu M, Yang S, Xu W, Feng T, Jie M, Liu Z, Sheng X, Chen H, Jiang H. Phase separation of BuGZ regulates gut regeneration and aging through interaction with m 6A regulators. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6700. [PMID: 37872148 PMCID: PMC10593810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42474-1] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploring the role of phase separation in intracellular compartment formation is an active area of research. However, the associations of phase separation with intestinal stem cell (ISC)-dependent regeneration and aging remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that BuGZ, a coacervating mitotic effector, shows age- and injury-associated condensation in Drosophila ISC nuclei during interphase. BuGZ condensation promotes ISC proliferation, affecting Drosophila gut repair and longevity. Moreover, m6A reader YT521-B acts as the transcriptional and functional downstream of BuGZ. The binding of YT521-B promotor or m6A writer Ime4/ Mettl14 to BuGZ controls its coacervation, indicating that the promotor may accelerate the phase transition of its binding transcription factor. Hence, we propose that phase separation and m6A regulators may be critical for ameliorating ISC-dependent gut regeneration and aging and requires further study.
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Grants
- National Natural Science Foundation of China(31771505); National Key Basic Research Program of China (2018YFA0108302); National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Z20201009, Z20191011,Z2023YY003); 1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ZYYC20001,ZYGD20010) ; Sichuan Science and Technology Program, the Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Projects, China (Grant No. 2022ZYD0078); Sichuan Science and Technology Program (Grant No. 2023YFQ0008); Project of Max Cynader Academy of Brain Workstation, WCHSCU (HXYS19005).science and technology department of Tibet, the central government guides the local science and technology development fund project (XZ202102YD0026C)
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- National Key Basic Research Program of China (2020YFA0803602); National Key Basic Research Program of China (2018YFA0108301); National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Z20201006);1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ZYYC20024)
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoqiao Zhang
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengyou Liu
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shengye Yang
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tong Feng
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minwen Jie
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiming Liu
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao Sheng
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haiyang Chen
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hao Jiang
- Laboratory for Aging and Cancer Research, Frontiers Science Center Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Liu MH, Yu WT, Zhao NN, Qiu JG, Jiang BH, Zhang Y, Zhang CY. Development of a N 6-methyladenosine-directed single quantum dot-based biosensor for sensitive detection of METTL3/14 complex activity in breast cancer tissues. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1279:341796. [PMID: 37827689 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341796] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The METTL3/14 complex is an important RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase in organisms, and the abnormal METTL3/14 complex activity is associated with the pathogenesis and various cancers. Sensitive detection of METTL3/14 complex is essential to tumor pathogenesis study, cancer diagnosis, and anti-cancer drug discovery. However, traditional methods for METTL3/14 complex assay suffer from poor specificity, costly antibodies, unstable RNA substrates, and low sensitivity. Herein, we construct a single quantum dot (QD)-based förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for sensitive detection of METTL3/14 complex activity. In the presence of METTL3/14 complex, it catalyzes the methylation of adenine in the substrate probe, leading to the formation of m6A that protects the substrate probes from MazF-mediated cleavage. The hybridization of methylated DNA substrate with biotinylated capture probe initiates polymerization reaction to obtain a biotinylated double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with the incorporation of numerous Cy5 fluorophores. Subsequently, the Cy5-incorporated dsDNA can self-assembly onto the 605QD surface to form the 605QD-dsDNA-Cy5 nanostructure, causing FRET between 605QD donor and Cy5 acceptor. This biosensor has excellent sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.11 × 10-17 M, and it can measure the METTL3/14 complex activity in a single cell. Moreover, this biosensor can be used to evaluate the METTL3/14 complex kinetic parameters and screen potential inhibitors. Furthermore, it can differentiate the METTL3/14 complex expression in healthy human tissues and breast cancer patient tissues, providing a powerful tool for cancer pathogenesis study, clinical diagnosis, prognosis monitoring, and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hao Liu
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, The Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China; College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, 250200, China
| | - Wan-Tong Yu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ning-Ning Zhao
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Jian-Ge Qiu
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, The Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Bing-Hua Jiang
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, The Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, 250200, China.
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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114
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Xu Y, Wang Y, Liang FS. Site-Specific m 6 A Erasing via Conditionally Stabilized CRISPR-Cas13b Editor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309291. [PMID: 37713087 PMCID: PMC10592254 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309291] [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: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) on RNAs plays an important role in regulating various biological processes and CRIPSR technology has been employed for programmable m6 A editing. However, the bulky size of CRISPR protein and constitutively expressed CRISPR/RNA editing enzymes can interfere with the native function of target RNAs and cells. Herein, we reported a conditional m6 A editing platform (FKBP*-dCas13b-ALK) based on a ligand stabilized dCas13 editor. The inducible expression of this m6 A editing system was achieved by adding or removing the Shield-1 molecule. We further demonstrated that the targeted recruitment of dCas13b-m6 A eraser fusion protein and site-specific m6 A erasing were achieved under the control of Shield-1. Moreover, the release and degradation of dCas13b fusion protein occurred faster than the restoration of m6 A on the target RNAs after Shield-1 removal, which provides an ideal opportunity to study the m6 A function with minimal steric interference from bulky dCas13b fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve Universit, 2080 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yufan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve Universit, 2080 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Fu-Sen Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve Universit, 2080 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
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115
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Zhang X, Peng Q, Wang L. N 6-methyladenosine modification-a key player in viral infection. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:78. [PMID: 37828480 PMCID: PMC10571408 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00490-5] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a dynamic, reversible process and is the most prevalent internal modification of RNA. This modification is regulated by three protein groups: methyltransferases ("writers"), demethylases ("erasers"), and m6A-binding proteins ("readers"). m6A modification and related enzymes could represent an optimal strategy to deepen the epigenetic mechanism. Numerous reports have suggested that aberrant modifications of m6A lead to aberrant expression of important viral genes. Here, we review the role of m6A modifications in viral replication and virus-host interactions. In particular, we focus on DNA and RNA viruses associated with human diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). These findings will contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of virus-host interactions and the design of future therapeutic targets for treatment of tumors associated with viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Zhang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiu Peng
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Lujuan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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116
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Yi J, Peng F, Zhao J, Gong X. METTL3/IGF2BP2 axis affects the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating m6A modification of STAG3. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17292. [PMID: 37828232 PMCID: PMC10570365 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44379-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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the commonest malignant tumors of humans. Existing evidence has linked the poor prognosis of CRC with high expression of stromal antigen 3 (STAG3), but, the exact biological effect of STAG3 in CRC is still unclear. The aim of this research is to reveal the biological function and molecular mechanism of STAG3 in CRC. To investigate the differential expression of STAG3 in CRC tissues and cell lines compared to normal colon tissues and cell lines, Western blot (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) techniques were utilized. STAG3 N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification level were identified using m6A RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP). Additionally, the functional roles of methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3) and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) in CRC were explored by manipulating their levels via knockdown or overexpression. Cell proliferation was evaluated through Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and clone formation experiments, while cell migration was assessed through wound healing experiments. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry, and the protein expressions associated with proliferation and apoptosis were detected using WB. To identify the specific binding of target genes, RIP and pull-down assays were employed. Finally, the biological function of STAG3 in vivo was investigated through a xenotransplantation mouse tumor model. In CRC tissues and cell lines, STAG3 was up-regulated and accompanied by m6A methylation. Additionally, the expression of METTL3 was found to be upregulated in CRC tissues. Knocking down METTL3 resulted in a decrease in both the m6A level and protein expression of STAG3, inhibited cell proliferation and migration while promoting apoptosis, which were restored through STAG3 overexpression. Furthermore, online prediction indicated the interaction between STAG3 mRNA and IGF2BP2 protein, which was further verified by RIP experiments. IGF2BP2 downregulation led to decreased STAG3 protein expression, cell proliferation, and migration, but increased apoptosis. However, these impacts were reversed by STAG3 overexpression. Finally, subcutaneous tumor experiments conducted in nude mice also confirmed that METTL3 regulated CRC progression through STAG3 in vivo. The METTL3/IGF2BP2/STAG3 axis affects CRC progression in an m6A modification-dependent manner. This may guide targeted therapy in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmei Yi
- The Department of General Surgery 2, Zhuzhou Central Hospital (Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), 116 Changjiang South Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, 412007, Hunan, China
| | - Feng Peng
- The Department of General Surgery 2, Zhuzhou Central Hospital (Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), 116 Changjiang South Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, 412007, Hunan, China
| | - Jingli Zhao
- The Department of Operating Room, Zhuzhou Central Hospital (Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Xiaosong Gong
- The Department of General Surgery 2, Zhuzhou Central Hospital (Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), 116 Changjiang South Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, 412007, Hunan, China.
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117
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Lu X, Peng L, Ding J, Li Y, Li Q, Rao M, Shu T, He X, Liu C, Ye J, Liu W, You H. A deregulated m 6A writer complex axis driven by BRD4 confers an epitranscriptomic vulnerability in combined DNA repair-targeted therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304534120. [PMID: 37782793 PMCID: PMC10576145 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304534120] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant transcripts expression of the m6A methyltransferase complex (MTC) is widely found across human cancers, suggesting a dysregulated signaling cascade which integrates m6A epitranscriptome to drive tumorigenesis. However, the responsible transcriptional machinery directing the expression of distinct MTC subunits remains unclear. Here, we identified an unappreciated interplay between the histone acetyl-lysine reader BRD4 and the m6A writer complex across human cancers. BRD4 directly stimulates transcripts expression of seven MTC subunits, allowing the maintenance of the nuclear writer complex integrity. Upon BET inhibition, this BRD4-MTC signaling cascade accounts for global m6A reduction and the subsequent dynamic alteration of BRD4-dependent transcriptome, resulting in impaired DNA damage response that involves activation of homologous recombination (HR) repair and repression of apoptosis. We further demonstrated that the combined synergy upon BET/PARP inhibition largely relies on disrupted m6A modification of HR and apoptotic genes, counteracting PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance in patient-derived xenograft models. Our study revealed a widespread active cross-talk between BRD4-dependent epigenetic and MTC-mediated epitranscriptomic networks, which provides a unique therapeutic vulnerability that can be leveraged in combined DNA repair-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Lichao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Jiancheng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Yuanpei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Mengchen Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Tong Shu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing100142, China
| | - Xiaoniu He
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shanxi710032, China
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
| | - Han You
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361102, China
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118
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Zheng Y, Li X, Deng S, Zhao H, Ye Y, Zhang S, Huang X, Bai R, Zhuang L, Zhou Q, Li M, Su J, Li R, Bao X, Zeng L, Chen R, Zheng J, Lin D, He C, Zhang J, Zuo Z. CSTF2 mediated mRNA N 6-methyladenosine modification drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma m 6A subtypes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6334. [PMID: 37816727 PMCID: PMC10564946 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41861-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of gene transcripts plays critical roles in cancer. Here we report transcriptomic m6A profiling in 98 tissue samples from 65 individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We identify 17,996 m6A peaks with 195 hyper-methylated and 93 hypo-methylated in PDAC compared with adjacent normal tissues. The differential m6A modifications distinguish two PDAC subtypes with different prognosis outcomes. The formation of the two subtypes is driven by a newly identified m6A regulator CSTF2 that co-transcriptionally regulates m6A installation through slowing the RNA Pol II elongation rate during gene transcription. We find that most of the CSTF2-regulated m6As have positive effects on the RNA level of host genes, and CSTF2-regulated m6As are mainly recognized by IGF2BP2, an m6A reader that stabilizes mRNAs. These results provide a promising PDAC subtyping strategy and potential therapeutic targets for precision medicine of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongzhe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruihong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lisha Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quanbo Zhou
- Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiachun Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rufu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jialiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhixiang Zuo
- 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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Lin Y, Luo G, Liu Q, Yang R, Sol Reinach P, Yan D. METTL3-Mediated RNA m6A Modification Regulates the Angiogenic Behaviors of Retinal Endothelial Cells by Methylating MMP2 and TIE2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:18. [PMID: 37819742 PMCID: PMC10573643 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.18] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a commonly occurring modification of mRNAs, catalyzed by a complex containing methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3). Our research aims to explore how METTL3-dependent m6A modification affects the functions of retinal endothelial cells (RECs). Methods An oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model was established, and RECs were isolated using magnetic beads method. Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were treated with normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2). Dot blot assay determined m6A modification levels. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot detected the mRNA and protein expression levels of the target candidates, respectively. Genes were knocked down by small interfering RNA transfection. Matrigel-based angiogenesis and transwell assays evaluated the abilities of endothelial tube formation and migration, respectively. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR determined the levels of m6A modification in the target genes. Results The m6A modification levels were significantly upregulated in the retinas and RECs of OIR mice. Exposure to hypoxia significantly elevated both METTL3 expression and m6A modification levels in HRMECs. METTL3 knockdown curtailed endothelial tube formation and migration in vitro under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Concurrently, this knockdown in HRMECs resulted in reduced m6A modification levels of MMP2 and TIE2 transcripts, subsequently leading to a decrease in their respective protein expressions. Notably, knockdown of MMP2 and TIE2 also markedly inhibited the angiogenic activities of HRMECs. Conclusions METTL3-mediated m6A modification promotes the angiogenic behaviors of RECs by targeting MMP2 and TIE2, suggesting its significance in retinal angiogenesis and METTL3 as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Guangying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Rusen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Peter Sol Reinach
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dongsheng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Wu G, Su J, Zeng L, Deng S, Huang X, Ye Y, Li R, Bai R, Zhuang L, Li M, Zhou Q, Zheng Y, Deng J, Zhang S, Chen R, Lin D, Zhang J, Zheng J. LncRNA BCAN-AS1 stabilizes c-Myc via N 6-methyladenosine-mediated binding with SNIP1 to promote pancreatic cancer. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2213-2230. [PMID: 37726400 PMCID: PMC10589284 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
C-Myc overexpression contributes to multiple hallmarks of human cancer but directly targeting c-Myc is challenging. Identification of key factors involved in c-Myc dysregulation is of great significance to develop potential indirect targets for c-Myc. Herein, a collection of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) interacted with c-Myc is detected in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Among them, lncRNA BCAN-AS1 is identified as the one with highest c-Myc binding enrichment. BCAN-AS1 was abnormally elevated in PDAC tumors and high BCAN-AS1 level was significantly associated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, Smad nuclear-interacting protein 1 (SNIP1) was characterized as a new N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mediator binding to BCAN-AS1 via recognizing its m6A modification. m6A-modified BCAN-AS1 acts as a scaffold to facilitate the formation of a ternary complex together with c-Myc and SNIP1, thereby blocking S phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2)-mediated c-Myc ubiquitination and degradation. Biologically, BCAN-AS1 promotes malignant phenotypes of PDAC in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of metastasis xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models with in vivo-optimized antisense oligonucleotide of BCAN-AS1 effectively represses tumor growth and metastasis. These findings shed light on the pro-tumorigenic role of BCAN-AS1 and provide an innovant insight into c-Myc-interacted lncRNA in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guandi Wu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiachun Su
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxing Zeng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruihong Bai
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lisha Zhuang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quanbo Zhou
- Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanfen Zheng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junge Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rufu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialiang Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jian Zheng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Zhu L, Li B, Li R, Hu L, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Jiang S, Zhang X. METTL3 suppresses pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression through activating endogenous dsRNA-induced anti-tumor immunity. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1529-1541. [PMID: 37178367 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00829-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although immunotherapy improves clinical outcomes in several types of malignancies, as an immunologically 'cold' tumor, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is arrantly resistant to immunotherapy. However, the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the immune microenvironment of PDAC is still poorly understood. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to identify differentially expressed m6A related enzymes. The biological role and mechanism of METTL3 in PDAC growth and metastasis were determined in vitro and in vivo. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to identify signaling pathways involved in METTL3. Western blot, m6A dot blot assays, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry were used to explore the molecular mechanism. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate that METTL3, the key regulator of m6A modification, is downregulated in PDAC, and negatively correlates with PDAC malignant features. Elevated METTL3 suppresses PDAC growth and overcomes resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Mechanistically, METTL3 promotes the accumulation of endogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) through protecting m6A-transcripts from further Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing. The dsRNA stress activates RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) to enhance anti-tumor immunity, finally suppressing PDAC progression. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that tumor cell-intrinsic m6A modification participates in the regulation of tumor immune landscape. Adjusting the m6A level may be an effective strategy to overcome the resistance to immunotherapy and increase responsiveness to immunotherapy in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Botai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongkun Li
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Lipeng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xueli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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You L, Han Z, Chen H, Chen L, Lin Y, Wang B, Fan Y, Zhang M, Luo J, Peng F, Ma Y, Wang Y, Yuan L, Han Z. The role of N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) in kidney diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1247690. [PMID: 37841018 PMCID: PMC10569431 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1247690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical modifications are a specific and efficient way to regulate the function of biological macromolecules. Among them, RNA molecules exhibit a variety of modifications that play important regulatory roles in various biological processes. More than 170 modifications have been identified in RNA molecules, among which the most common internal modifications include N6-methyladenine (m6A), n1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and 7-methylguanine nucleotide (m7G). The most widely affected RNA modification is m6A, whose writers, readers, and erasers all have regulatory effects on RNA localization, splicing, translation, and degradation. These functions, in turn, affect RNA functionality and disease development. RNA modifications, especially m6A, play a unique role in renal cell carcinoma disease. In this manuscript, we will focus on the biological roles of m6A in renal diseases such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, diabetic kidney disease, and renal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luling You
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongyu Han
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoran Chen
- Science and Education Department, Chengdu Xinhua Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Liuyan Chen
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yumeng Lin
- Eye School of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Binjian Wang
- Eye School of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiyue Fan
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Meiqi Zhang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ji Luo
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fang Peng
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanmei Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM), Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Yuan
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongyu Han
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Liu C, Ren Q, Deng J, Wang S, Ren L. c-MYC/METTL3/LINC01006 positive feedback loop promotes migration, invasion and proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer. Biomed J 2023; 47:100664. [PMID: 37774794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.100664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to clarify the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of LINC01006, which is involved in migration, invasion and proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS LINC01006 and METTL3 expressions were analyzed in TCGA-LUAD cohort. Colony formation assay, wound-healing assay and transwell assay were performed to evaluate the ability of colony formation, migration and invasion. Q-PCR and western blot analysis determined gene expressions. M6A-RNA immunoprecipitation and m6A quantification assay were used to evaluate m6A modification. qChIP assay was used to validate transcriptional target. Luciferase assay validated the miRNA targets and transcriptional targets. In-situ xenograft model were included to evaluate tumor proliferation in vivo. RESULTS LINC01006 and METTL3 expressions were elevated in NSCLC cells and tissues. LINC01006 promoted the migration and invasion of NSCLC via epithelial - mesenchymal transition (EMT). The expression of LINC01006 was positively correlated to the expression of METTL3. METTL3 promoted tumor formation and proliferation in the in-situ xenograft model of NSCLC. The expression of LINC01006 was increased by METTL3 via m6A modification. c-MYC directly induced METTL3. Both c-MYC and LINC01006 were commonly targeted by miR-34a/b/c and miR-2682, and thereby c-MYC/METTL3/LINC01006 formed a positive feedback loop through miRNA targets in NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS LINC01006 is an oncogenic lncRNA, which induces migration, invasion and proliferation of NSCLC. METTL3 increases LINC01006 expression through stabilizing LINC01006 mRNA. c-MYC, as a transcription factor, activates METTL3, which results in an elevated level of LINC01006. c-MYC, METTL3 and LINC01006 form a positive feedback loop through multiple miRNA targets in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfeng Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Inflammation & Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Allergy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Qiang Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Inflammation & Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Allergy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Inflammation & Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Allergy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Songping Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Inflammation & Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Allergy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Ren
- Department of General Surgery (Gastrointestinal Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.
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Shi K, Sa R, Dou L, Wu Y, Dong Z, Fu X, Yu H. METTL3 exerts synergistic effects on m6A methylation and histone modification to regulate the function of VGF in lung adenocarcinoma. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:153. [PMID: 37742030 PMCID: PMC10517543 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01568-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple genetic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms play a vital role in tumorigenesis and development. Understanding the interplay between different epigenetic modifications and its contribution to transcriptional regulation in cancer is essential for precision medicine. Here, we aimed to investigate the interplay between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications and histone modifications in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). RESULTS Based on the data from public databases, including chromatin property data (ATAC-seq, DNase-seq), methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq), and gene expression data (RNA-seq), a m6A-related differentially expressed gene nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) was identified between LUAD tissues and normal lung tissues. VGF was significantly highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells, and was associated with a worse prognosis for LUAD, silencing of VGF inhibited the malignant phenotype of LUAD cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Through the weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and integration of TCGA-LUAD RNA-seq and m6A methyltransferase METTL3-knockdown RNA-seq data, a significant positive correlation between METTL3 and VGF was observed. By using the MeRIP-qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that METTL3 knockdown decreased m6A modification level of VGF coding sequences in LUAD cells, the colorimetric m6A quantification assay also showed that METTL3 knockdown significantly decreased global m6A modification level in LUAD cells. Interestingly, we found that METTL3 knockdown also reduced VGF expression by increasing H3K36me3 modification at the VGF promoter. Further research revealed that METTL3 knockdown upregulated the expression of histone methylase SETD2, the major H3K36me3 methyltransferase, by methylating the m6A site in the 3'UTR of SETD2 mRNA in LUAD cells. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results reveal that the expression of VGF in LUAD cells is regulated spatio-temporally by METTL3 through both transcriptional (via histone modifications) and post-transcriptional (via m6A modifications) mechanisms. The synergistic effect of these multiple epigenetic mechanisms provides new opportunities for the diagnosis and precision treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Rula Sa
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Le Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zhiqiang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xinyao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Haiquan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation a Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China.
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Dou X, Huang L, Xiao Y, Liu C, Li Y, Zhang X, Yu L, Zhao R, Yang L, Chen C, Yu X, Gao B, Qi M, Gao Y, Shen B, Sun S, He C, Liu J. METTL14 is a chromatin regulator independent of its RNA N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase activity. Protein Cell 2023; 14:683-697. [PMID: 37030005 PMCID: PMC10501186 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
METTL3 and METTL14 are two components that form the core heterodimer of the main RNA m6A methyltransferase complex (MTC) that installs m6A. Surprisingly, depletion of METTL3 or METTL14 displayed distinct effects on stemness maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC). While comparable global hypo-methylation in RNA m6A was observed in Mettl3 or Mettl14 knockout mESCs, respectively. Mettl14 knockout led to a globally decreased nascent RNA synthesis, whereas Mettl3 depletion resulted in transcription upregulation, suggesting that METTL14 might possess an m6A-independent role in gene regulation. We found that METTL14 colocalizes with the repressive H3K27me3 modification. Mechanistically, METTL14, but not METTL3, binds H3K27me3 and recruits KDM6B to induce H3K27me3 demethylation independent of METTL3. Depletion of METTL14 thus led to a global increase in H3K27me3 level along with a global gene suppression. The effects of METTL14 on regulation of H3K27me3 is essential for the transition from self-renewal to differentiation of mESCs. This work reveals a regulatory mechanism on heterochromatin by METTL14 in a manner distinct from METTL3 and independently of m6A, and critically impacts transcriptional regulation, stemness maintenance, and differentiation of mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Dou
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lulu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yini Li
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xinning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lishan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ran Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Xianbin Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Boyang Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Meijie Qi
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, Gusu School, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Xie L, Zhang X, Xie J, Xu Y, Li XJ, Lin L. Emerging Roles for DNA 6mA and RNA m6A Methylation in Mammalian Genome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13897. [PMID: 37762200 PMCID: PMC10531503 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813897] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic methylation has been shown to play an important role in transcriptional regulation and disease pathogenesis. Recent advancements in detection techniques have identified DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as methylation modifications at the sixth position of adenine in DNA and RNA, respectively. While the distributions and functions of 6mA and m6A have been extensively studied in prokaryotes, their roles in the mammalian brain, where they are enriched, are still not fully understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current research progress on 6mA and m6A, as well as their associated writers, erasers, and readers at both DNA and RNA levels. Specifically, we focus on the potential roles of 6mA and m6A in the fundamental biological pathways of the mammalian genome and highlight the significant regulatory functions of 6mA in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Li Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.X.); (X.Z.); (J.X.); (Y.X.); (X.-J.L.)
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Zeng Y, Lv C, Wan B, Gong B. The current landscape of m6A modification in urological cancers. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16023. [PMID: 37701836 PMCID: PMC10493088 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16023] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a dynamic and reversible procession of epigenetic modifications. It is increasingly recognized that m6A modification has been involved in the tumorigenesis, development, and progression of urological tumors. Emerging research explored the role of m6A modification in urological cancer. In this review, we will summarize the relationship between m6A modification, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer, and discover the biological function of m6A regulators in tumor cells. We will also discuss the possible mechanism and future application value used as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target to benefit patients with urological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohui Zeng
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Cai Lv
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Bangbei Wan
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Binghao Gong
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
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Breger K, Kunkler CN, O'Leary NJ, Hulewicz JP, Brown JA. Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1810. [PMID: 37674370 PMCID: PMC10915109 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6 A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA-protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6 A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6 A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6 A: methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc-finger CCHC-domain-containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6 A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM-binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6 A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6 A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6 A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6 A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6 A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6 A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6 A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Breger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Charlotte N Kunkler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan J O'Leary
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jacob P Hulewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica A Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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Li H, Zhao J, Deng H, Zhong Y, Chen M, Chi L, Luo G, Cao C, Yu C, Liu H, Zhang X. N6-methyladenosine modification of PLOD2 causes spermatocyte damage in rats with varicocele. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:72. [PMID: 37670228 PMCID: PMC10481479 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00475-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification of mRNA has been studied extensively. It has been reported that m6A determines mRNA fate and participates in many cellular functions and reactions, including oxidative stress. The PLOD2 gene encodes a protein that plays a key role in tissue remodeling and fibrotic processes. METHODS The m6A methylation and expression levels of PLOD2 were determined by m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and MeRIP-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in the testes of varicocele rats compared with control. To determine whether IGF2BP2 had a targeted effect on the PLOD2 mRNA, RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR) and luciferase assays were performed. CRISPR/dCas13b-ALKBH5 could downregulate m6A methylation level of PLOD2, which plays an important role in PLOD2-mediated cell proliferation and apoptosis in GC-2 cells. RESULTS PLOD2 was frequently exhibited with high m6A methylation and expression level in the testes of varicocele rats compared with control. In addition, we found that IGF2BP2 binds to the m6A-modified 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PLOD2 mRNA, thereby positively regulating its mRNA stability. Targeted specific demethylation of PLOD2 m6A by CRISPR/dCas13b-ALKBH5 system can significantly decrease the m6A and expression level of PLOD2. Furthermore, demethylation of PLOD2 mRNA dramatically promote GC-2 cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis under oxidative stress. CONCLUSION As a result, we found that varicocele-induced oxidative stress promoted PLOD2 expression level via m6A methylation modification. In addition, targeting m6A demethylation of PLOD2 by CRISPR/dCas13b-ALKBH5 system can regulate GC-2 cell proliferation and apoptosis under oxidative stress. Taken together, our study has acquired a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying male infertility associated with oxidative stress, as well as a novel therapeutic target for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - YuCheng Zhong
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Mian Chen
- Pharmacy Department, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - LinSheng Chi
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - GuoQun Luo
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Cong Cao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Cong Yu
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Meizhou, Meizhou, China
| | - Honghai Liu
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Meizhou, Meizhou, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou, China.
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130
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Li K, Peng J, Yi C. Sequencing methods and functional decoding of mRNA modifications. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 3:738-748. [PMID: 38933299 PMCID: PMC11197720 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.05.010] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 160 types of post-transcriptional RNA modifications have been reported; there is substantial variation in modification type, abundance, site, and function across species, tissues, and RNA type. The recent development of high-throughput detection technology has enabled identification of diverse dynamic and reversible RNA modifications, including N6,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N6-methyladenosine (m6A), pseudouridine (Ψ), and inosine (I). In this review, we focus on eukaryotic mRNA modifications. We summarize their biogenesis, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions, as well as high-throughput methods for detection of mRNA modifications. We also discuss challenges that must be addressed in mRNA modification research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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131
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Dong X, Liao B, Zhao J, Li X, Yan K, Ren K, Zhang X, Bao X, Guo W. METTL14 mediates m 6a modification on osteogenic proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by regulating the processing of pri-miR-873. Mol Med Rep 2023; 28:166. [PMID: 37449516 PMCID: PMC10407617 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2023.13053] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyl-adenosine (m6a) is involved in the occurrence and development of various diseases such as autogenic immune disease and tumors. Methyltransferases regulate primary (pri)-microRNA (miRNA/miR) processing by mediating m6a modifications, consequently affecting pathological processes including immune-related diseases by regulating both innate and adaptive immune cells. However, the roles of m6a on the biological functions of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remain to be elucidated. The relative expression levels of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) and other methyltransferases, demethylases, and miR-873 in bone samples from patients with osteoporosis and from normal individuals were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to examine the proliferation of BMSCs. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to investigate the binding of METTL14 to DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 (DGCR8). RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to examine the binding of METTL14 to pri-miR-873. METTL14 and m6a modifications were highly detected in patients with osteoporosis compared with the controls. Co-IP results indicated that silencing of METTL14 reduced METTL14 and m6a modification levels in BMSCs. Downregulation of METTL14 significantly promoted the proliferation of BMSCs. RIP results suggested that METTL14/m6a methylation modification promoted the processing of pri-miR-873 by binding to DGCR8 in BMSCs. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-873 inhibited the proliferation of BMSCs. The results also showed that miR-873 mimics significantly inhibited the proliferation in small interfering (si)-METTL14 transfected BMSCs; however, miR-873 inhibitors markedly promoted the proliferation of si-METTL14 transfected BMSCs. METTL14 and m6a modifications were upregulated in osteoporosis samples. METTL14 promoted the processing of pri-miR-873 into mature miR-873 by regulating m6a modification. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-873 significantly inhibited the proliferation of BMSCs. Therefore, the METTL14/m6a/miR-873 axis may be a potential target for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Dong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Bo Liao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxiang Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Kang Yan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Kun Ren
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Bao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Weidong Guo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
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Maldonado López AM, Ko EK, Huang S, Pacella G, Kuprasertkul N, D’souza CA, Reyes Hueros RA, Shen H, Stoute J, Elashal H, Sinkfield M, Anderson A, Prouty S, Li HB, Seykora JT, Liu KF, Capell BC. Mettl3-catalyzed m 6A regulates histone modifier and modification expression in self-renewing somatic tissue. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5234. [PMID: 37656787 PMCID: PMC10854438 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and is catalyzed by methyltransferase-like protein 3 (Mettl3). To understand the role of m6A in a self-renewing somatic tissue, we deleted Mettl3 in epidermal progenitors in vivo. Mice lacking Mettl3 demonstrate marked features of dysfunctional development and self-renewal, including a loss of hair follicle morphogenesis and impaired cell adhesion and polarity associated with oral ulcerations. We show that Mettl3 promotes the m6A-mediated degradation of mRNAs encoding critical histone modifying enzymes. Depletion of Mettl3 results in the loss of m6A on these mRNAs and increases their expression and associated modifications, resulting in widespread gene expression abnormalities that mirror the gross phenotypic abnormalities. Collectively, these results have identified an additional layer of gene regulation within epithelial tissues, revealing an essential role for m6A in the regulation of chromatin modifiers, and underscoring a critical role for Mettl3-catalyzed m6A in proper epithelial development and self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Maldonado López
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eun Kyung Ko
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sijia Huang
- Penn Institute of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gina Pacella
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nina Kuprasertkul
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Carina A. D’souza
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Raúl A. Reyes Hueros
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hui Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julian Stoute
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Heidi Elashal
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Morgan Sinkfield
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amy Anderson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephen Prouty
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hua-Bing Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Immune Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Yale University, Shanghai, China
| | - John T. Seykora
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kathy Fange Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brian C. Capell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Hu J, Lin H, Wang C, Su Q, Cao B. METTL14‑mediated RNA methylation in digestive system tumors. Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:86. [PMID: 37539726 PMCID: PMC10555478 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5289] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
N6‑methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is one of the most common post‑transcriptional modification mechanism in eukaryotes. m6A is involved in almost all stages of the mRNA life cycle, specifically regulating its stability, splicing, export and translation. Methyltransferase‑like 14 (METTL14) is a particularly important m6A methylation 'writer' that can recognize RNA substrates. METTL14 has been documented to improve the activity and catalytic efficiency of METTL3. However, as individual proteins they can also regulate different biological processes. Malignancies in the digestive system are some of the most common malignancies found in humans, which are typically associated with poor prognoses with limited clinical solutions. METTL14‑mediated methylation has been implicated in both the potentiation and inhibition of digestive system tumor growth, cell invasion and metastasis, in addition to drug resistance. In the present review, the research progress and regulatory mechanisms of METTL14‑mediated methylation in digestive system malignancies were summarized. In addition, future research directions and the potential for its clinical application were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexuan Hu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Haishan Lin
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Su
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Bangwei Cao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
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Zhang Y, Zhao L, Bi Y, Zhao J, Gao C, Si X, Dai H, Asmamaw MD, Zhang Q, Chen W, Liu H. The role of lncRNAs and exosomal lncRNAs in cancer metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115207. [PMID: 37499455 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115207] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the main reason for cancer-related death, but there is still a lack of effective therapeutic to inhibit tumor metastasis. Therefore, the discovery and study of new tumor metastasis regulators is a prominent measure for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a type of non-coding RNAs over 200 bp in length. It has been shown that the abnormally expressed lncRNAs promote tumor metastasis by participating in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, altering the metastatic tumor microenvironment, or changing the extracellular matrix. It is,thus, critical to explore the regulation of lncRNAs expression in cells and the molecular mechanism of lncRNA-mediated cancer metastasis. Simultaneously, it has been shown that lncRNA is one kind of the main components of exosomes, which protects lncRNAs from being rapidly degraded. Meanwhile, the components of exosomes are parent-specific, making exosomal lncRNAs to be potential tumor metastasis markers and therapeutic targets. In view of this, we also summarized the aberrant enrichment of lncRNAs in exosomes and their role in metastatic cancer. The aberrant lncRNAs and exosomal lncRNAs gradually become biomarkers and therapeutic targets for tumor metastatic, and the potential of lncRNAs in therapeutics are studied here. Besides, the lncRNA-related databases, which could greatly facilitate in the study of lncRNAs and exosomal lncRNAs in metastatic of cancer are included in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China; The People's Hospital of Zhang Dian District, Zibo, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Yaping Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Jinyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Chao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Xiaojie Si
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Honglin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Moges Dessale Asmamaw
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China
| | - Qiurong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China.
| | - Wenchao Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital; Zhengzhou University People's Hospital; Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou China.
| | - Hongmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou China.
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Wang X, Chen Q, Bing Z, Zhou S, Xu Z, Hou Y, Zhao Y, Zhao S, Wang T. Low expression of m6A reader YTHDC1 promotes progression of ovarian cancer via PIK3R1/STAT3/GANAB axis. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:4672-4688. [PMID: 37781028 PMCID: PMC10535707 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81595] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is considered to be the most prevalent and abundant internal modification observed in mRNA between viruses and mammals. As a reversible epigenetic modification, m6A controls gene expression in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence in recent years reveals that aberrant expression of m6A reader proteins may have tumor-suppressing or carcinogenic functions. However, the biological role and mechanism of m6A reader YTH Domain Containing 1 (YTHDC1) in ovarian cancer progression remain inadequately understood. Methods: Quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and bioinformatics analyses were undertaken for studying the YTHDC1 expression in ovarian cancer. In vitro and in vivo models were used to examine the role of YTHDC1. RNA sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, m6A-modified RNA immunoprecipitation, actinomycin-D assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and Western blot were used in the investigation the regulatory mechanisms among YTHDC1, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase Regulatory Subunit 1 (PIK3R1), and Glucosidase II Alpha Subunit (GANAB). Results: Here, we found that YTHDC1 expression is decreased in ovarian cancer. Overexpression of YTHDC1 inhibited ovarian cancer development both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, PIK3R1 was identified to be the direct target for YTHDC1. YTHDC1 enhanced PIK3R1 stability in an m6A-dependent manner, which subsequently inhibited GANAB expression in the N-glycan biosynthesis via the STAT3 signaling. Conclusions: Our findings unveil YTHDC1 as a tumor suppressor in the progression of ovarian cancer and as a potential prognostic biomarker that could serve as a target in ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianyu Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziqian Bing
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhen Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhen Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yayi Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuli Zhao
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Qiu L, Jing Q, Li Y, Han J. RNA modification: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:25. [PMID: 37612540 PMCID: PMC10447785 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications are dynamic and reversible chemical modifications on substrate RNA that are regulated by specific modifying enzymes. They play important roles in the regulation of many biological processes in various diseases, such as the development of cancer and other diseases. With the help of advanced sequencing technologies, the role of RNA modifications has caught increasing attention in human diseases in scientific research. In this review, we briefly summarized the basic mechanisms of several common RNA modifications, including m6A, m5C, m1A, m7G, Ψ, A-to-I editing and ac4C. Importantly, we discussed their potential functions in human diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, genetic and developmental diseases, as well as immune disorders. Through the "writing-erasing-reading" mechanisms, RNA modifications regulate the stability, translation, and localization of pivotal disease-related mRNAs to manipulate disease development. Moreover, we also highlighted in this review all currently available RNA-modifier-targeting small molecular inhibitors or activators, most of which are designed against m6A-related enzymes, such as METTL3, FTO and ALKBH5. This review provides clues for potential clinical therapy as well as future study directions in the RNA modification field. More in-depth studies on RNA modifications, their roles in human diseases and further development of their inhibitors or activators are needed for a thorough understanding of epitranscriptomics as well as diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qian Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yanbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Junhong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China.
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137
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Yan C, Xiong J, Zhou Z, Li Q, Gao C, Zhang M, Yu L, Li J, Hu MM, Zhang CS, Cai C, Zhang H, Zhang J. A cleaved METTL3 potentiates the METTL3-WTAP interaction and breast cancer progression. eLife 2023; 12:RP87283. [PMID: 37589705 PMCID: PMC10435237 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of RNA by the methyltransferase complex (MTC), with core components including METTL3-METTL14 heterodimers and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), contributes to breast tumorigenesis, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we identify a novel cleaved form METTL3a (residues 239-580 of METTL3). We find that METTL3a is required for the METTL3-WTAP interaction, RNA m6A deposition, as well as cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, we find that METTL3a is essential for the METTL3-METTL3 interaction, which is a prerequisite step for recruitment of WTAP in MTC. Analysis of m6A sequencing data shows that depletion of METTL3a globally disrupts m6A deposition, and METTL3a mediates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation via m6A-mediated suppression of TMEM127 expression. Moreover, we find that METTL3 cleavage is mediated by proteasome in an mTOR-dependent manner, revealing positive regulatory feedback between METTL3a and mTOR signaling. Our findings reveal METTL3a as an important component of MTC, and suggest the METTL3a-mTOR axis as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojun Yan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jingjing Xiong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Zirui Zhou
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Qifang Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chuan Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Mengyao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liya Yu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jinpeng Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Ming-Ming Hu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chen-Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network School of Life Sciences, Xiamen UniversityFujianChina
| | - Cheguo Cai
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Haojian Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
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138
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Tian S, Li YL, Wang J, Dong RC, Wei J, Ma Y, Liu YQ. Chinese Ecliptae herba (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.) extract and its component wedelolactone enhances osteoblastogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via targeting METTL3-mediated m6A RNA methylation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 312:116433. [PMID: 37004744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Chinese Ecliptae herba (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.) is an ethnomedicinal herb, which is used mainly to nourish kidney and thus strengthen bones according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. Pharmacological studies have supported the ethnomedicine use, showing that Ecliptae herba extract has an anti-osteoporotic effect in vivo and promoted osteoblast proliferation and activity in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism of Ecliptae herba on osteoblast differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), the progenitors of osteoblasts, is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA epigenetic modification may play a key role in promoting osteoblastic differentiation, and thus treating osteoporosis. This study sought to assess the mechanism through which Eclipate herba and its component wedelolactone influence m6A modification during the process of osteoblastogenesis from BMSC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red S (ARS) staining were applied to determine osteoblastogenesis from BMSC. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed. RNA sequencing analysis was used to determine the characteristics of m6A methylation. Stable knocking down of METTL3 using lentiviral-based shRNA was performed. RESULTS Upon 9 d treatment of BMSC with ethyl acetate extract of Ecliptae herba (MHL), ALP activity and ossification level increased in comparison with osteogenic medium (OS)-treated control. The expression of methyltransferase METTL3 and METTL14 was significantly increased, but WTAP expression had no change in response to MHL treatment. Knocking down of METTL3 resulted in a decrease in MHL-induced ALP activity, ossification level as well as mRNA expression of Osterix and Osteocalcin, two bone formation-related markers. The level of m6A increased when BMSC was treated with MHL for 9 d. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that MHL treatment altered mRNA m6A modification of genes associated with osteoblastogenesis. By kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, HIF-1α, PI3K/Akt, and Hippo signaling pathways were enriched and associated with m6A modification. The expression of m6A-modified genes including HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and RASSF1, was upregulated by MHL, but the upregulation was reversed after METTL3 knockdown. Additionally, the enhanced expression of METTL3 was also observed after treatment with wedelolactone, a component from MHL. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested a previously uncharacterized mechanism of MHL and wedelolactone on osteoblastogenesis, by which METTL3-mediated m6A methylation is involved and thus contributes to the enhancement of osteoblastogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Tian
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Yi-Lin Li
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Ren-Chao Dong
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Jun Wei
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Yu Ma
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Yan-Qiu Liu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
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139
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Qi S, Gupta YK. A cryptic pocket in METTL3-METTL14 regulates m 6A conversion and sensing. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3150186. [PMID: 37609305 PMCID: PMC10441475 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3150186/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear METTL3-METTL14 enzyme complex transfers a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the N6 amino group of an adenosine (A) base in RNA to convert it to m6A and in ssDNA to 6mA. m6A marks are prevalent in eukaryotic mRNAs and lncRNAs and modulate their stability and fate in a context-dependent manner. The cytoplasmic METTL3 can act as a m6A reader to regulate mRNA translation. However, the precise mechanism that actuates the switch from m6A writer to reader/sensor is unclear. Here, we present a ~2.5Å crystal structure of the methyltransferase core of human METTL3-METTL14 in complex with the reaction product, N6-methyladenosine monophosphate (m6A), representing a state post-catalysis but before the release of m6A. m6A occupies a novel evolutionarily conserved cryptic pocket in METTL3-METTL14 located ~16Å away from the SAM pocket that frequently mutates in cancer. We propose a two-step model of swiveling of target A upon conversion to m6A and sensing its methylation status by the cryptic pocket, enabling it to actuate enzymes' switch from writer to an m6A-sensor. Cancer-associated mutations cannot distinguish methylated from unmethylated adenine and show impaired RNA binding, de-stacking, and defective m6A writing and sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Qi
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yogesh K. Gupta
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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140
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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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141
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Gao J, Fang Y, Chen J, Tang Z, Tian M, Jiang X, Tao C, Huang R, Zhu G, Qu W, Wu X, Zhou J, Fan J, Liu W, Shi Y. Methyltransferase like 3 inhibition limits intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma metabolic reprogramming and potentiates the efficacy of chemotherapy. Oncogene 2023; 42:2507-2520. [PMID: 37420030 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and its associated methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) are involved in the development and maintenance of various tumors. The present study aimed to evaluate the cross-talk of METTL3 with glucose metabolism and reveal a novel mechanism for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) progression. Real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry analyses suggested that METTL3 was highly expressed in ICC, which was correlated with poor patient prognosis. Immunoprecipitation sequencing of m6A-RNA showed that METTL3 upregulated m6A modification of NFAT5, which recruited IGF2BP1 for NFAT5 mRNA stabilization. Elevated expression of NFAT5 increased the expression of the gluconeogenesis-related genes GLUT1 and PGK1, resulting in enhanced aerobic glycolysis, proliferation, and tumor metastasis of ICC. Moreover, higher METTL3 expression was observed in tumor tissues of ICC patients with activated ICC glucose metabolism. Importantly, STM2457, a highly potent METTL3 inhibitor, which inhibited METTL3 activity and acted synergistically with gemcitabine, suggests that reprogramming RNA epigenetic modifications may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy. Overall, our findings highlighted the role of METTL3-mediated m6A modification of NFAT5 in activating glycolytic reprogramming in ICC and proposed that the METTL3/NFAT5 axis was a clinical target for the management of ICC chemoresistance by targeting cancer glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafeng Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Tang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxin Tian
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xifei Jiang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenyang Tao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Run Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiqi Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weifeng Qu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiren Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yinghong Shi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Liver Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China.
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142
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Wang Y, Zhou X. N 6-methyladenosine and Its Implications in Viruses. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:695-706. [PMID: 35835441 PMCID: PMC10787122 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification in mammalian messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which participates in and regulates many important biological activities, such as tissue development and stem cell differentiation. Due to an improved understanding of m6A, researchers have discovered that the biological function of m6A can be linked to many stages of mRNA metabolism and that m6A can regulate a variety of complex biological processes. In addition to its location on mammalian mRNAs, m6A has been identified on viral transcripts. m6A also plays important roles in the life cycle of many viruses and in viral replication in host cells. In this review, we briefly introduce the detection methods of m6A, the m6A-related proteins, and the functions of m6A. We also summarize the effects of m6A-related proteins on viral replication and infection. We hope that this review provides researchers with some insights for elucidating the complex mechanisms of the epitranscriptome related to viruses, and provides information for further study of the mechanisms of other modified nucleobases acting on processes such as viral replication. We also anticipate that this review can stimulate collaborative research from different fields, such as chemistry, biology, and medicine, and promote the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafen Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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143
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Zhang Y, Zhang W, Zhao J, Ito T, Jin J, Aparicio AO, Zhou J, Guichard V, Fang Y, Que J, Urban JF, Hanna JH, Ghosh S, Wu X, Ding L, Basu U, Huang Y. m 6A RNA modification regulates innate lymphoid cell responses in a lineage-specific manner. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1256-1264. [PMID: 37400674 PMCID: PMC10797530 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01548-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) can quickly switch from a quiescent state to an active state and rapidly produce effector molecules that provide critical early immune protection. How the post-transcriptional machinery processes different stimuli and initiates robust gene expression in ILCs is poorly understood. Here, we show that deletion of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) writer protein METTL3 has little impact on ILC homeostasis or cytokine-induced ILC1 or ILC3 responses but significantly diminishes ILC2 proliferation, migration and effector cytokine production and results in impaired antihelminth immunity. m6A RNA modification supports an increase in cell size and transcriptional activity in activated ILC2s but not in ILC1s or ILC3s. Among other transcripts, the gene encoding the transcription factor GATA3 is highly m6A methylated in ILC2s. Targeted m6A demethylation destabilizes nascent Gata3 mRNA and abolishes the upregulation of GATA3 and ILC2 activation. Our study suggests a lineage-specific requirement of m6A for ILC2 responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wanwei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jingyao Zhao
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Takamasa Ito
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jiacheng Jin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexis O Aparicio
- Department of Medicine, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Junsong Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vincent Guichard
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yinshan Fang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jianwen Que
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph F Urban
- Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory, and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuebing Wu
- Department of Medicine, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lei Ding
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Uttiya Basu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuefeng Huang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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144
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Ma C, Xue T, Peng Q, Zhang J, Guan J, Ding W, Li Y, Xia P, Zhou L, Zhao T, Wang S, Quan L, Li CY, Liu Y. A novel N 6-Deoxyadenine methyltransferase METL-9 modulates C. elegans immunity via dichotomous mechanisms. Cell Res 2023; 33:628-639. [PMID: 37271765 PMCID: PMC10397248 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00826-y] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-Methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) has been rediscovered as a DNA modification with potential biological function in metazoans. However, the physiological function and regulatory mechanisms regarding the establishment, maintenance and removal of 6mA in eukaryotes are still poorly understood. Here we show that genomic 6mA levels change in response to pathogenic infection in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). We further identify METL-9 as the methyltransferase that catalyzes DNA 6mA modifications upon pathogen infection. Deficiency of METL-9 impairs the induction of innate immune response genes and renders the animals more susceptible to pathogen infection. Interestingly, METL-9 functions through both 6mA-dependent and -independent mechanisms to transcriptionally regulate innate immunity. Our findings reveal that 6mA is a functional DNA modification in immunomodulation in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China.
- Research Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Tingling Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Peng
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jialiang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-Tsinghua-NIBS Graduate Program, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanqiu Ding
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peixue Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liankui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Shanghai Zelixir Biotech Company Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Li Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan-Yun Li
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China.
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145
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Wan X, Ge Y, Xu S, Feng Y, Zhu Y, Yin L, Pu Y, Liang G. m 6A modification and its role in neural development and neurological diseases. Epigenomics 2023; 15:819-833. [PMID: 37718929 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0190] [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] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes, represents a highly dynamic and reversible process that is regulated by m6A methyltransferases, m6A demethylases and RNA-binding proteins during RNA metabolism, which affects RNA function. Notably, m6A modification is significantly enriched in the brain and exerts regulatory roles in neurogenesis and neurodevelopment through various mechanisms, further influencing the occurrence and progression of neurological disorders. This study systematically summarizes and discusses the latest findings on common m6A regulators, examining their expression, function and mechanisms in neurodevelopment and neurological diseases. Additionally, we explore the potential of m6A modification in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders, aiming to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Yiling Ge
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Yanlu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
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146
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Song B, Huang D, Zhang Y, Wei Z, Su J, Pedro de Magalhães J, Rigden DJ, Meng J, Chen K. m6A-TSHub: Unveiling the Context-specific m 6A Methylation and m 6A-affecting Mutations in 23 Human Tissues. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:678-694. [PMID: 36096444 PMCID: PMC10787194 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As the most pervasive epigenetic marker present on mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation has been shown to participate in essential biological processes. Recent studies have revealed the distinct patterns of m6A methylome across human tissues, and a major challenge remains in elucidating the tissue-specific presence and circuitry of m6A methylation. We present here a comprehensive online platform, m6A-TSHub, for unveiling the context-specific m6A methylation and genetic mutations that potentially regulate m6A epigenetic mark. m6A-TSHub consists of four core components, including (1) m6A-TSDB, a comprehensive database of 184,554 functionally annotated m6A sites derived from 23 human tissues and 499,369 m6A sites from 25 tumor conditions, respectively; (2) m6A-TSFinder, a web server for high-accuracy prediction of m6A methylation sites within a specific tissue from RNA sequences, which was constructed using multi-instance deep neural networks with gated attention; (3) m6A-TSVar, a web server for assessing the impact of genetic variants on tissue-specific m6A RNA modifications; and (4) m6A-CAVar, a database of 587,983 The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer mutations (derived from 27 cancer types) that were predicted to affect m6A modifications in the primary tissue of cancers. The database should make a useful resource for studying the m6A methylome and the genetic factors of epitranscriptome disturbance in a specific tissue (or cancer type). m6A-TSHub is accessible at www.xjtlu.edu.cn/biologicalsciences/m6ats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Song
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China; Department of Mathematical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China; Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Daiyun Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China; Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom.
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China; Institute of Ageing & Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Jionglong Su
- School of AI and Advanced Computing, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - João Pedro de Magalhães
- Institute of Ageing & Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Rigden
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Meng
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom; Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China; AI University Research Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kunqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China.
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147
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Park ZM, Sporer AJ, Kraft K, Lum KK, Blackman E, Belnap E, Yellman CM, Rose MD. Kar4, the yeast homolog of METTL14, is required for mRNA m6A methylation and meiosis. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010896. [PMID: 37603553 PMCID: PMC10470960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
KAR4, the yeast homolog of the mammalian mRNA N6A-methyltransferase complex component METTL14, is required for two disparate developmental programs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: mating and meiosis. To understand KAR4's role in yeast mating and meiosis, we used a genetic screen to isolate 25 function-specific mutant alleles, which map to non-overlapping surfaces on a predicted structure of the Kar4 protein (Kar4p). Most of the mating-specific alleles (Mat-) abolish Kar4p's interaction with the transcription factor Ste12p, indicating that Kar4p's mating function is through Ste12p. In yeast, the mRNA methyltransferase complex was previously defined as comprising Ime4p (Kar4p's paralog and the homolog of mammalian METTL3), Mum2p (homolog of mammalian WTAP), and Slz1p (MIS), but not Kar4p. During meiosis, Kar4p interacts with Ime4p, Mum2p, and Slz1p. Moreover, cells lacking Kar4p have highly reduced levels of mRNA methylation during meiosis indicating that Kar4p is a key member of the methyltransferase complex, as it is in humans. Analysis of kar4Δ/Δ and 7 meiosis-specific alleles (Mei-) revealed that Kar4p is required early in meiosis, before initiation of S-phase and meiotic recombination. High copy expression of the meiotic transcriptional activator IME1 rescued the defect of these Mei- alleles. Surprisingly, Kar4p was also found to be required at a second step for the completion of meiosis and sporulation. Over-expression of IME1 in kar4Δ/Δ permits pre-meiotic S-phase, but most cells remained arrested with a monopolar spindle. Analysis of the function-specific mutants revealed that roughly half became blocked after premeiotic DNA synthesis and did not sporulate (Spo-). Loss of Kar4p's Spo function was suppressed by overexpression of RIM4, a meiotic translational regulator. Overexpression of IME1 and RIM4 together allowed sporulation of kar4Δ/Δ cells. Taken together, these data suggest that Kar4p regulates meiosis at multiple steps, presumably reflecting requirements for methylation in different stages of meiotic gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachory M. Park
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Abigail J. Sporer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Katherine Kraft
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Krystal K. Lum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Edith Blackman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Ethan Belnap
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | | - Mark D. Rose
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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148
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Deng X, Qing Y, Horne D, Huang H, Chen J. The roles and implications of RNA m 6A modification in cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:507-526. [PMID: 37221357 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA, has been extensively and increasingly studied over the past decade. Dysregulation of RNA m6A modification and its associated machinery, including writers, erasers and readers, is frequently observed in various cancer types, and the dysregulation profiles might serve as diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers. Dysregulated m6A modifiers have been shown to function as oncoproteins or tumour suppressors with essential roles in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, therapy resistance and immune evasion as well as in cancer stem cell self-renewal and the tumour microenvironment, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the dysregulated m6A machinery for cancer treatment. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which m6A modifiers determine the fate of target RNAs and thereby influence protein expression, molecular pathways and cell phenotypes. We also describe the state-of-the-art methodologies for mapping global m6A epitranscriptomes in cancer. We further summarize discoveries regarding the dysregulation of m6A modifiers and modifications in cancer, their pathological roles, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we discuss m6A-related prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers in cancer as well as the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting oncogenic m6A modifiers and their activity in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
| | - Ying Qing
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA
| | - David Horne
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Huilin Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research & City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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149
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Park ZM, Remillard M, Belnap E, Rose MD. Kar4 is required for the normal pattern of meiotic gene expression. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010898. [PMID: 37639444 PMCID: PMC10491391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Kar4p, the yeast homolog of the mammalian methyltransferase subunit METTL14, is required for efficient mRNA m6A methylation, which regulates meiotic entry. Kar4p is also required for a second seemingly non-catalytic function during meiosis. Overexpression of the early meiotic transcription factor, IME1, can bypass the requirement for Kar4p in meiotic entry but the additional overexpression of the translational regulator, RIM4, is required to permit sporulation in kar4Δ/Δ. Using microarray analysis and RNA sequencing, we sought to determine the impact of removing Kar4p and consequently mRNA methylation on the early meiotic transcriptome in a strain background (S288c) that is sensitive to the loss of early meiotic regulators. We found that kar4Δ/Δ mutants have a largely wild type transcriptional profile with the exception of two groups of genes that show delayed and reduced expression: (1) a set of Ime1p-dependent early genes as well as IME1, and (2) a set of late genes dependent on the mid-meiotic transcription factor, Ndt80p. The early gene expression defect is likely the result of the loss of mRNA methylation and is rescued by overexpressing IME1, but the late defect is only suppressed by overexpression of both IME1 and RIM4. The requirement for RIM4 led us to predict that the non-catalytic function of Kar4p, like methyltransferase complex orthologs in other systems, may function at the level of translation. Mass spectrometry analysis identified several genes involved in meiotic recombination with strongly reduced protein levels, but with little to no reduction in transcript levels in kar4Δ/Δ after IME1 overexpression. The low levels of these proteins were rescued by overexpression of RIM4 and IME1, but not by the overexpression of IME1 alone. These data expand our understanding of the role of Kar4p in regulating meiosis and provide key insights into a potential mechanism of Kar4p's later meiotic function that is independent of mRNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachory M. Park
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Matthew Remillard
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Ethan Belnap
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Mark D. Rose
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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150
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Zhang Y, Gu W, Shao Y. The therapeutic targets of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications on tumor radioresistance. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:141. [PMID: 37522921 PMCID: PMC10390431 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy is an important tool for malignant tumors, and its tolerance needs to be addressed. In recent years, several studies have shown that regulators of aberrant m6A methylation play an important role in the formation, development and invasion and metastasis of tumors. A large number of studies have confirmed aberrant m6A methylation as a new target for tumour therapy, but research on whether it can play a role in tumor sensitivity to radiotherapy has not been extensive and thorough enough. Recent studies have shown that all three major enzymes of m6A methylation have significant roles in radioresistance, and that the enzymes that play a role differ in different tumor types and by different mechanisms, including regulating tumor cell stemness, affecting DNA damage and repair, and controlling the cell cycle. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms of m6A methylation in the radiotherapy of malignant tumors is essential to counteract radioresistance, improve the efficacy of radiotherapy, and even propose targeted treatment plans for specific tumors. The latest research progress on m6A methylation and radioresistance is reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Wendong Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Changzhou, 213003, China.
| | - Yingjie Shao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Changzhou, 213003, China.
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