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Li Z, Feng Y, Han H, Jiang X, Chen W, Ma X, Mei Y, Yuan D, Zhang D, Shi J. A Stapled Peptide Inhibitor Targeting the Binding Interface of N6-Adenosine-Methyltransferase Subunits METTL3 and METTL14 for Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402611. [PMID: 38607929 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402611] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
METTL3, a primary methyltransferase catalyzing the RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, has been identified as an oncogene in several cancer types and thus nominated as a potentially effective target for therapeutic inhibition. However, current options using this strategy are limited. In this study, we targeted protein-protein interactions at the METTL3-METTL14 binding interface to inhibit complex formation and subsequent catalysis of the RNA m6A modification. Among candidate peptides, RM3 exhibited the highest anti-cancer potency, inhibiting METTL3 activity while also facilitating its proteasomal degradation. We then designed a stapled peptide inhibitor (RSM3) with enhanced peptide stability and formation of the α-helical secondary structure required for METTL3 interaction. Functional and transcriptomic analysis in vivo indicated that RSM3 induced upregulation of programmed cell death-related genes while inhibiting cancer-promoting signals. Furthermore, tumor growth was significantly suppressed while apoptosis was enhanced upon RSM3 treatment, accompanied by increased METTL3 degradation, and reduced global RNA methylation levels in two in vivo tumor models. This peptide inhibitor thus exploits a mechanism distinct from other small-molecule competitive inhibitors to inhibit oncogenic METTL3 activity. Our findings collectively highlight the potential of targeting METTL3 in cancer therapies through peptide-based inhibition of complex formation and proteolytic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghui Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuqing Feng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Hunan University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hong Han
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xingyue Jiang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weiyu Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuezhen Ma
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Yang Mei
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Dan Yuan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dingxiao Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Hunan University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation Institution, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong Province, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Hunan University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
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Chen M, Zou C, Tian Y, Li W, Li Y, Zhang D. An integrated ceRNA network identifies miR-375 as an upregulated miRNA playing a tumor suppressive role in aggressive prostate cancer. Oncogene 2024; 43:1594-1607. [PMID: 38565944 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03011-6] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among men worldwide. A number of genes have been implicated in prostate tumorigenesis, but the mechanisms underlying their dysregulation are still incompletely understood. Evidence has established the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) theory as a novel regulatory mechanism for post-transcriptional alterations. Yet, a comprehensive characterization of ceRNA network in PCa lacks. Here we utilize stringent in-silico methods to construct a large ceRNA network across different PCa stages, and provide experimental demonstration for the competing regulation among protumorigenic SEC23A, PHTF2, and their corresponding ceRNA pairs. Using machine learning, we establish a ceRNA-based signature (ceRNA_sig) predictive of androgen receptor (AR) activity, tumor aggressiveness, and patient outcomes. Importantly, we identify miR-375 as a key node in PCa ceRNA network, which is upregulated in PCa relative to normal tissues. Forced expression of miR-375 significantly inhibits, while its inhibition promotes, aggressive behaviors of both AR+ and AR- PCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that miR-375 predominantly targets genes possessing oncogenic roles (e.g., proliferation, DNA repair, and metastasis), and thus release targets with tumor suppressive functions. This action model well clarifies why an upregulated miRNA plays a tumor suppressive role in PCa. Together, our study provides new insights into understanding of transcriptomic aberrations during PCa evolution, and nominates miR-375 as a potential therapeutic target for combating aggressive PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, School of BioMedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Cheng Zou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, School of BioMedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
| | - Yu Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, School of BioMedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, School of BioMedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Dingxiao Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, School of BioMedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Hunan University, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhang F, Chen F, Wang C, Zhou FH. The functional roles of m6A modification in prostate cancer. Proteomics Clin Appl 2023; 17:e2200108. [PMID: 37070355 DOI: 10.1002/prca.202200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignancy of the male genitourinary system, and its etiology suggests that genetics is an essential risk factor for its development and progression, while exogenous factors may have an significant impact on this risk. Initial diagnosis of advanced PCa is relatively frequent, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the predominant standard of care for PCa and the basis for various novel combination therapy regimens, and is often required throughout the patient's subsequent treatment. Although diagnostic modalities and treatment options are evolving, some patients suffer from complications, including biochemical relapse, metastasis and treatment resistance. Mechanisms of PCa pathogenesis and progression have been the focus of research. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an RNA modification involved in cell physiology and tumor metabolism. It has been observed to affect the evolution of diverse cancers through the regulation of gene expression. Genes associated with m6A are prominent in PCa and are involved in multiple aspects of desmoresistant PCa occurrence, progression, PCa bone metastasis (BM), and treatment resistance. Here, we explore the role of m6A modifications in promoting PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Zhang
- Department of Urology, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Feng-Hai Zhou
- Department of Urology, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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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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Li C, Peng D, Gan Y, Zhou L, Hou W, Wang B, Yuan P, Xiong W, Wang L. The m 6A methylation landscape, molecular characterization and clinical relevance in prostate adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1086907. [PMID: 37033963 PMCID: PMC10076583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1086907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the recent progress of therapeutic strategies in treating prostate cancer (PCa), the majority of patients still eventually relapse, experiencing dismal outcomes. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify novel viable targets to increase the effectiveness of treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification and PCa development and determine its clinical relevance. Methods Through systematic analysis of the TCGA database and other datasets, we analyzed the gene expression correlation and mutation profiles of m6A-related genes between PCa and normal tissues. Patient samples were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the results of Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox analysis. Subsequently, differences in biological processes and genomic characteristics of the two risk groups were determined, followed by functional enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment (GSEA) analysis. Next, we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of differentially expressed genes between patients in high- and low-risk groups, along with the mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network. The correlation analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells was further conducted to reveal the differences in immune characteristics between the two groups. Results A variety of m6A-related genes were identified to be differentially expressed in PCa tissues as compared with normal tissues. In addition, the PPI network contained 278 interaction relationships and 34 m6A-related genes, and the mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network contained 17 relationships, including 91 miRNAs. Finally, the immune characteristics analysis showed that compared with the low-risk group, the levels of M1 and M2 macrophages in the high-risk group significantly increased, while the levels of mast cells resting and T cells CD4 memory resting significantly decreased. Conclusions This study provides novel findings that can further the understanding of the role of m6A methylation during the progression of PCa, which may facilitate the invention of targeted therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dongyi Peng
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weibin Hou
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bingzhi Wang
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Yuan
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Urology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Long Wang,
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Chen L, Zheng Y, Jiang C, Yang C, Zhang L, Liang C. The established chemokine-related prognostic gene signature in prostate cancer: Implications for anti-androgen and immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1009634. [PMID: 36275733 PMCID: PMC9582844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1009634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) was one of the most common malignancies among men, while the prognosis for PCa patients was poor, especially for patients with recurrent and advanced diseases.Materials and methodsFive PCa cohorts were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases, and the biochemical recurrence (BCR)-related chemokine genes were identified by LASSO-Cox regression. The chemokine-related prognostic gene signature (CRPGS) was established, and its association with PCa patients’ clinical, pathological and immune characteristics was analyzed. The association between CRPGS and PCa patients’ responses to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and immunotherapy was analyzed. The CRPGS was compared with other previously published molecular signatures, and the CRPGS was externally validated in our real-world AHMU-PC cohort.ResultsFour recurrence-free survival (RFS)-related chemokine genes (CXCL14, CCL20, CCL24, and CCL26) were identified, and the CRPGS was established based on the four identified chemokine genes, and TCGA-PRAD patients with high riskscores exhibited poorer RFS, which was validated in the GSE70768 cohort. The CRPGS was associated with the clinical, pathological, and immune characteristics of PCa patients. Low-risk PCa patients were predicted to respond better to ADT and immunotherapy. By comparing with other molecular signatures, the CRPGS could classify PCa patients into two risk groups well, and the CRPGS was associated with the m6A level, as well as TP53 and SPOP mutation status of PCa patients. In the AHMU-PC cohort, the CRPGS was associated with the advanced pathology stage and Gleason score.ConclusionsThe identified chemokine genes and CRPGS were associated with the prognosis of PCa, which could predict PCa patients’ responses to anti-androgen and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Changqin Jiang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Cheng Yang, ; Li Zhang, ; Chaozhao Liang,
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Cheng Yang, ; Li Zhang, ; Chaozhao Liang,
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Cheng Yang, ; Li Zhang, ; Chaozhao Liang,
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