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Bove G, Crepaldi M, Amin S, Megchelenbrink WL, Nebbioso A, Carafa V, Altucci L, Del Gaudio N. The m 6A-independent role of epitranscriptomic factors in cancer. Int J Cancer 2024. [PMID: 38935523 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35067] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Protein function alteration and protein mislocalization are cancer hallmarks that drive oncogenesis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) deposition mediated by METTL3, METTL16, and METTL5 together with the contribution of additional subunits of the m6A system, has shown a dramatic impact on cancer development. However, the cellular localization of m6A proteins inside tumor cells has been little studied so far. Interestingly, recent evidence indicates that m6A methyltransferases are not always confined to the nucleus, suggesting that epitranscriptomic factors may also have multiple oncogenic roles beyond m6A that still represent an unexplored field. To date novel epigenetic drugs targeting m6A modifiers, such as METTL3 inhibitors, are entering into clinical trials, therefore, the study of the potential onco-properties of m6A effectors beyond m6A is required. Here we will provide an overview of methylation-independent functions of the m6A players in cancer, describing the molecular mechanisms involved and the future implications for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Bove
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Crepaldi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sajid Amin
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Wouter Leonard Megchelenbrink
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Prinses Máxima Centrum, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Program of Medical Epigenetics, Vanvitelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Carafa
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Prinses Máxima Centrum, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, Ariano Irpino, Italy
- IEOS-CNR Institute for Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzio Del Gaudio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Luo L, Zhang W, You S, Cui X, Tu H, Yi Q, Wu J, Liu O. The role of epithelial cells in fibrosis: Mechanisms and treatment. Pharmacol Res 2024; 202:107144. [PMID: 38484858 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process that affects multiple organs and is considered one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in multiple diseases, resulting in an enormous disease burden. Current studies have focused on fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which directly lead to imbalance in generation and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the role of epithelial cells in fibrosis. In some cases, epithelial cells are first exposed to external physicochemical stimuli that may directly drive collagen accumulation in the mesenchyme. In other cases, the source of stimulation is mainly immune cells and some cytokines, and epithelial cells are similarly altered in the process. In this review, we will focus on the multiple dynamic alterations involved in epithelial cells after injury and during fibrogenesis, discuss the association among them, and summarize some therapies targeting changed epithelial cells. Especially, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the key central step, which is closely linked to other biological behaviors. Meanwhile, we think studies on disruption of epithelial barrier, epithelial cell death and altered basal stem cell populations and stemness in fibrosis are not appreciated. We believe that therapies targeted epithelial cells can prevent the progress of fibrosis, but not reverse it. The epithelial cell targeting therapies will provide a wonderful preventive and delaying action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyi Luo
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Siyao You
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinyan Cui
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hua Tu
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiao Yi
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jianjun Wu
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Ousheng Liu
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Ferrarelli LK. Promoting DNA repair to prevent fibrosis. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eado0928. [PMID: 38261658 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.ado0928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
YTHDC1 activates the DNA repair kinase ATR to suppress bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis.
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