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Zhang H, Sun F, Jiang S, Yang F, Dong X, Liu G, Wang M, Li Y, Su M, Wen Z, Yu C, Fan C, Li X, Zhang Z, Yang L, Li B. METTL protein family: focusing on the occurrence, progression and treatment of cancer. Biomark Res 2024; 12:105. [PMID: 39289775 PMCID: PMC11409517 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00652-3] [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: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Methyltransferase-like protein is a ubiquitous enzyme-like protein in the human body, with binding domains for nucleic acids, proteins and other small molecules, and plays an important role in a variety of biological behaviours in normal organisms and diseases, characterised by the presence of a methyltransferase-like structural domain and a structurally conserved SAM-binding domain formed by the seven-stranded β-fold structure in the center of the protein. With the deepening of research, the METTL protein family has been found to be abnormally expressed in a variety of tumor diseases, and the clarification of its relationship with tumor diseases can be used as a molecular therapeutic target and has an important role in the prognosis of tumors. In this paper, we review the structure, biological process, immunotherapy, drug-targeted therapy, and markers of the METTL protein family to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huhu Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Fulin Sun
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Health Science Center, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Shuyao Jiang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Health Science Center, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Fanghao Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xiaolei Dong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Guoxiang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weifang People's Hospital, 151, Guangwen Streer, Weifang, 261041, China
| | - Mengjun Wang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ya Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Mohan Su
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ziyuan Wen
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chunjuan Yu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chenkai Fan
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Health Science Center, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xiaoxia Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Lina Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Haici Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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Wu Y, Wang Y, Liu H, Hu Q, Xie Y, Nan X, He H, Liu Y. Mechanism of apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma promoted by cardamonin through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20802. [PMID: 39242879 PMCID: PMC11379709 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71817-1] [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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, surgical resection remains the primary approach for treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with limited options for effective drug therapy. Cardamonin, a principal compound derived from Myristica fragrans of the Zingiberaceae family, has garnered attention for its potential to suppress the onset and progression of various malignancies encompassing breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and ovarian cancers. Nevertheless, the involvement of cardamonin in the treatment of OSCC and its underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. This research explored the possible target of cardamonin in treating OSCC via network pharmacological analysis. Subsequently, this research investigated the impact of cardamonin on OSCC cells via in vitro experiments, revealing its capacity to impede the migration, proliferation, and invasion of OSCC cells. Additionally, western blotting analysis demonstrated that cardamonin facilitates apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. The findings suggest that MMP9 and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may serve as the target and pathway of cardamonin in treating OSCC. To summarize, the research findings suggest that cardamonin may facilitate apoptosis in OSCC cells by inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway activation. These outcomes offer a theoretical basis for the utilization of cardamonin as a natural drug for treating OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Wu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yapei Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Qiannan Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yuqi Xie
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xiaoxu Nan
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
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Huang Y, Wu W, Zhang X. Verbascoside inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by the methyltransferase 3-mediated microRNA-31-5p/homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 axis. Arch Oral Biol 2024; 164:105979. [PMID: 38744201 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.105979] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate the effects of verbascoside on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cellular behaviors and underlying molecular mechanisms. DESIGN For this purpose, SCC9 and UM1 cell lines were treated with verbascoside, and their biological behaviors, including proliferation, migration, and invasion, were evaluated using cell counting kit-8, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and Transwell assays. The expression of methyltransferase-3 (METTL3), microRNA (miR)- 31-5p, and homeodomain interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The interaction between METTL3 and miR-31-5p was evaluated by RNA immunoprecipitation and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, while the interaction between miR-31-5p and HIPK2 was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter analysis. RESULTS The results indicated inhibition of OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion post verbascoside treatment. Similarly, METTL3 was upregulated in OSCC cells and was inhibited post-verbascoside treatment. Overexpressing METTL3 promoted the cellular processes. Moreover, miR-31-5p was upregulated in OSCC cells, where METTL3 facilitated the processing of miR-31-5p in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent manner. The HIPK2 served as miR-31-5p target, where overexpressing miR-31-5p or HIPK2 knockdown reversed the suppression of verbascoside-induced biological behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Verbascoside inhibited the progression of OSCC by inhibiting the METTL3-regulated miR-31-5p/HIPK2 axis. These findings suggested that verbascoside might be an effective drug for OSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Huang
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 6/F, East Zone, No. 111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 6/F, East Zone, No. 111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 6/F, East Zone, No. 111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
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Peng R, Jiang S, Jin Z. The potential mechanism of WT1-associated protein-induced N-6-methyladenosine modification of colony-stimulating factor 2 in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by JAK/STAT3 pathway regulation. Eur J Oral Sci 2024; 132:e13001. [PMID: 38831514 DOI: 10.1111/eos.13001] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) plays a regulatory role in numerous cancers. However, there is needed to investigate the role of CSF2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) malignant phenotype and the specific mechanisms of CSF2 N-6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Therefore, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of m6A-modified CSF2 by WT1-associated protein (WTAP) in OSCC via qRT-PCR, western blot, WTAP and CSF2 overexpression in OSCC. In a panel of OSCCs, Kaplan-Meier plot analysis indicated that high expression of CSF2 was associated with poorer prognosis. Cell functional experiments revealed that enrichment of CSF2 promoted the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells by activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway, whereas the reduced expression of CSF2 resulted in the malignant decline of OSCC cells by blocking the JAK/STAT3 pathway. This study also confirmed that WTAP enhanced the m6A level of CSF2 and facilitated the expression of CSF2 and that CSF2 silencing blocked the invasive phenotype of OSCC cells and reversed the malignancy induced by WTAP overexpression. Overall, this study demonstrated that WTAP mediates the m6A modification of CSF2 and the JAK/STAT3 pathway, which plays an oncogenic role in the development of OSCC and can be a target for the treatment of patients with OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Peng
- Department of Stomatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shengjun Jiang
- Department of Stomatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhongzhi Jin
- Department of Stomatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wei Q, Xue C, Li M, Wei J, Zheng L, Chen S, Duan Y, Deng H, Tang F, Xiong W, Zhou M. Ferroptosis: a critical mechanism of N 6-methyladenosine modification involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1119-1132. [PMID: 38811442 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent regulatory cell necrosis induced by iron overload and lipid peroxidation. It occurs when multiple redox-active enzymes are ectopically expressed or show abnormal function. Hence, the precise regulation of ferroptosis-related molecules is mediated across multiple levels, including transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and epigenetic levels. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a highly evolutionarily conserved epigenetic modification in mammals. The m6A modification is commonly linked to tumor proliferation, progression, and therapy resistance because it is involved in RNA metabolic processes. Intriguingly, accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated ferroptosis caused by the m6A modification drives tumor development. In this review, we summarized the roles of m6A regulators in ferroptosis-mediated malignant tumor progression and outlined the m6A regulatory mechanism involved in ferroptosis pathways. We also analyzed the potential value and application strategies of targeting m6A/ferroptosis pathway in the clinical diagnosis and therapy of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Changning Xue
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Mengna Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Jianxia Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lemei Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Shipeng Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Yumei Duan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Hongyu Deng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Faqing Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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Feng G, Wu Y, Hu Y, Shuai W, Yang X, Li Y, Ouyang L, Wang G. Small molecule inhibitors targeting m 6A regulators. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:30. [PMID: 38711100 PMCID: PMC11075261 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01546-5] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
As the most common form of epigenetic regulation by RNA, N6 methyladenosine (m6A) modification is closely involved in physiological processes, such as growth and development, stem cell renewal and differentiation, and DNA damage response. Meanwhile, its aberrant expression in cancer tissues promotes the development of malignant tumors, as well as plays important roles in proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, immunity and prognosis. This close association between m6A and cancers has garnered substantial attention in recent years. An increasing number of small molecules have emerged as potential agents to target m6A regulators for cancer treatment. These molecules target the epigenetic level, enabling precise intervention in RNA modifications and efficiently disrupting the survival mechanisms of tumor cells, thus paving the way for novel approaches in cancer treatment. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive review on small molecules targeting m6A regulators for anti-tumor. Here, we have comprehensively summarized the classification and functions of m6A regulators, elucidating their interactions with the proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune responses in common cancers. Furthermore, we have provided a comprehensive overview on the development, mode of action, pharmacology and structure-activity relationships of small molecules targeting m6A regulators. Our aim is to offer insights for subsequent drug design and optimization, while also providing an outlook on future prospects for small molecule development targeting m6A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guotai Feng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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7
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Zhao L, Guo J, Xu S, Duan M, Liu B, Zhao H, Wang Y, Liu H, Yang Z, Yuan H, Jiang X, Jiang X. Abnormal changes in metabolites caused by m 6A methylation modification: The leading factors that induce the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and their promising potential for clinical application. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00159-0. [PMID: 38677545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.04.016] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation modifications have been widely implicated in the metabolic reprogramming of various cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are essential for meeting the demands of cellular growth and maintaining tissue homeostasis, enabling cells to adapt to the specific conditions of the TME. An increasing number of research studies have focused on the role of m6A modifications in glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolism, revealing their capacity to induce aberrant changes in metabolite levels. These changes may in turn trigger oncogenic signaling pathways, leading to substantial alterations within the TME. Notably, certain metabolites, including lactate, succinate, fumarate, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), glutamate, glutamine, methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, fatty acids and cholesterol, exhibit pronounced deviations from normal levels. These deviations not only foster tumorigenesis, proliferation and angiogenesis but also give rise to an immunosuppressive TME, thereby facilitating immune evasion by the tumor. AIM OF REVIEW The primary objective of this review is to comprehensively discuss the regulatory role of m6A modifications in the aforementioned metabolites and their potential impact on the development of an immunosuppressive TME through metabolic alterations. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review aims to elaborate on the intricate networks governed by the m6A-metabolite-TME axis and underscores its pivotal role in tumor progression. Furthermore, we delve into the potential implications of the m6A-metabolite-TME axis for the development of novel and targeted therapeutic strategies in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China; Department of Colorectal Anal Surgery, Shenyang Coloproctology Hospital, Shenyang 110002, China.
| | - Junchen Guo
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Shasha Xu
- Department of Gastroendoscopy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Meiqi Duan
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Baiming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - He Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Yihan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Hexue Yuan
- Department of Colorectal Anal Surgery, Shenyang Coloproctology Hospital, Shenyang 110002, China.
| | - Xiaodi Jiang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110020, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
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8
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Ning B, Mei Y. LAMA3 Promotes Tumorigenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by METTL3-Mediated N6-Methyladenosine Modification. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:49-59. [PMID: 38305336 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023051066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Laminin subunit alpha 3 (LAMA3) is a cancer regulator. However, its effects and regulatory pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression remain unknown. This research aimed to determine the influence of LAMA3 regulation via methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) on OSCC progression. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and bioinformatics analysis, the expression levels of LAMA3 and METTL3 in OSCC tissues were examined. The functional roles of LAMA3 and METTL3 were analyzed using cell functional experiments. Using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and mRNA stability assays, LAMA3 and METTL3 regulation was investigated. In OSCC tissues, LAMA3 was upregulated. LAMA3 inhibition hampered OSCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration while its overexpression facilitated OSCC cell progression. METTL3 serves as a crucial upstream regulator of LAMA3 in OSCC and upregulates LAMA3 expression via an m6A-dependent mechanism. The low METTL3 expression partially restored the enhanced malignant phenotype induced by LAMA3 overexpression. Our findings indicate that METTL3 and LAMA3 act as pro-oncogenic factors in OSCC, with METTL3 promoting OSCC malignancy via m6A modification-dependent stabilization of LAMA3 transcripts, representing a novel regulatory mechanism in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoshan Ning
- Department of Stomatology, Wuhan Dongxihu District People's Hospital, Wuhan 430040, Hubei, China
| | - Yine Mei
- Department of Stomatology, Wuhan Dongxihu District People's Hospital, Wuhan 430040, Hubei, China
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9
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Wen T, Li T, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Pan H, Wang Y. The role of m6A epigenetic modifications in tumor coding and non-coding RNA processing. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:355. [PMID: 38102645 PMCID: PMC10722709 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01385-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifications of RNA significantly contribute to the regulatory processes in tumors and have, thus, received considerable attention. The m6A modification, known as N6-methyladenosine, is the predominant epigenetic alteration found in both eukaryotic mRNAs and ncRNAs. MAIN BODY m6A methylation modifications are dynamically reversible and are catalyzed, removed, and recognized by the complex of m6A methyltransferase (MTases), m6A demethylase, and m6A methyl recognition proteins (MRPs). Published evidence suggests that dysregulated m6A modification results in abnormal biological behavior of mature mRNA, leading to a variety of abnormal physiological processes, with profound implications for tumor development in particular. CONCLUSION Abnormal RNA processing due to dysregulation of m6A modification plays an important role in tumor pathogenesis and potential mechanisms of action. In this review, we comprehensively explored the mechanisms by which m6A modification regulates mRNA and ncRNA processing, focusing on their roles in tumors, and aiming to understand the important regulatory function of m6A modification, a key RNA epigenetic modification, in tumor cells, with a view to providing theoretical support for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongxuan Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Yeqiu Xu
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Yuanzhuang Zhang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China
| | - Hai Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China.
| | - Yong Wang
- Fourth Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, P.R. China.
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Liu H, Guo H, Wu Y, Hu Q, Hu G, He H, Yin Y, Nan X, Lin G, Han J, Zhao R, Liu Y. RCN1 deficiency inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma progression and THP-1 macrophage M2 polarization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21488. [PMID: 38057406 PMCID: PMC10700561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48801-2] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Reticulocalbin 1 (RCN1), a calcium-binding protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, contains six conserved regions. Its main functions include maintaining intracellular homeostasis and regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, and it plays an important role in the development of various tumours. However, the exact function of RCN1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RCN1 on the biological behaviour of OSCC and the regulation of tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization. The expression of RCN1 in OSCC and normal oral mucosa was evaluated through bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The growth, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells were observed after knockdown of RCN1 using CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of tumour cell-derived RCN1 on the polarization of THP-1 macrophages was investigated by establishing a coculture model of THP-1 macrophages and OSCC cells. Additionally, changes in the expression levels of relevant proteins were detected using Western blotting. The upregulation of RCN1 in tumour tissues compared to normal oral mucosal tissues is associated with a poor prognosis and can be utilized as a prognostic indicator for OSCC. Knockdown of RCN1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. Additionally, knockdown of RCN1 in Cal-27 and SCC-25 cells resulted in inhibition of the M2 polarization of THP-1 macrophages. RCN1 knockdown inhibits OSCC progression and M2 macrophage polarization. Targeting RCN1 may be a promising approach for OSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Haiyang Guo
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuehan Wu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Qiannan Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Guangbing Hu
- Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal Disease, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yaolin Yin
- Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal Disease, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xiaoxu Nan
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Gaoren Lin
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jinpeng Han
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Runzhe Zhao
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
- Department of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
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11
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Sun Z, Mai H, Xue C, Fan Z, Li J, Chen H, Huo N, Kang X, Tang C, Fang L, Zhao H, Han Y, Sun C, Peng H, Du Y, Yang J, Du N, Xu X. Hsa-LINC02418/mmu-4930573I07Rik regulated by METTL3 dictates anti-PD-L1 immunotherapeutic efficacy via enhancement of Trim21-mediated PD-L1 ubiquitination. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007415. [PMID: 38040417 PMCID: PMC10693898 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007415] [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] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited response to programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)/programmed death 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy is a major hindrance of checkpoint immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The abundance of PD-L1 on the tumor cell surface is crucial for the responsiveness of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. However, the negative control of PD-L1 expression and the physiological significance of the PD-L1 inhibition in NSCLC immunotherapy remain obscure. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was performed to profile and investigate the long non-coding RNAs that negatively correlated with PD-L1 expression and positively correlated with CD8+T cell infiltration in NSCLC. Immunofluorescence, in vitro PD-1 binding assay, T cell-induced apoptosis assays and in vivo syngeneic mouse models were used to investigate the functional roles of LINC02418 and mmu-4930573I07Rik in regulating anti-PD-L1 therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC. The molecular mechanism of LINC02418-enhanced PD-L1 downregulation was explored by immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and ubiquitination assays. RIP, luciferase reporter, and messenger RNA degradation assays were used to investigate the m6A modification of LINC02418 or mmu-4930573I07Rik expression. Bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) verification were performed to determine the significance of LINC02418, PD-L1 expression and CD8+T cell infiltration. RESULTS LINC02418 is a negative regulator of PD-L1 expression that positively correlated with CD8+T cell infiltration, predicting favorable clinical outcomes for patients with NSCLC. LINC02418 downregulates PD-L1 expression by enhancing PD-L1 ubiquitination mediated by E3 ligase Trim21. Both hsa-LINC02418 and mmu-4930573I07Rik (its homologous RNA in mice) regulate PD-L1 therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC via Trim21, inducing T cell-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, METTL3 inhibition via N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification mediated by YTHDF2 reader upregulates hsa-LINC02418 and mmu-4930573I07Rik. In patients with NSCLC, LINC02418 expression is inversely correlated with PD-L1 expression and positively correlated with CD8+T infiltration. CONCLUSION LINC02418 functions as a negative regulator of PD-L1 expression in NSCLC cells by promoting the degradation of PD-L1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The expression of LINC02418 is regulated by METTL3/YTHDF2-mediated m6A modification. This study illuminates the underlying mechanisms of PD-L1 negative regulation and presents a promising target for improving the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 therapy in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Sun
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Air Force Medical Center PLA, Air Force Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haixing Mai
- Department of Urology, the Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyuan Xue
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongyi Fan
- Department of Biotherapy Center, Third People's Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiangbo Li
- Bioinformatics Center of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hairui Chen
- Department of Urology, the Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Huo
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Kang
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanhao Tang
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Liaoxin Fang
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Fifth Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Han
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Huanyan Peng
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yimeng Du
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Second Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Du
- Department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Fifth Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Xu
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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12
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Li T, Tian L, Cao J, Liu M. Cancer-associated fibroblasts secret extracellular vesicles to support cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Cell Probes 2023; 72:101934. [PMID: 37777021 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2023.101934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
As the critical components of tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) support the development of various type of cancers, including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), but the detailed molecular mechanisms by which cancer-associated fibroblasts interact with LSCC cells to facilitate its progression have not been fully uncovered. In the present study, by analyzing the contents from normal fibroblasts (NFs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) with Real-Time qPCR analysis, we found that the tumor-initiating LncRNA TUC338 was significantly upregulated in the cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived extracellular vesicles, compared to the normal fibroblasts-secreted extracellular vesicles. Further experiments confirmed that cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived extracellular vesicles promoted cell proliferation, colony formation abilities, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumorigenesis of LSCC cells via delivering LncRNA TUC338. The mechanical experiments verified that LncRNA TUC338 was stabilized by METTL3/YTHDF1-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications, and elevated LncRNA TUC338 sponged miR-8485 to upregulate chromobox homolog 2 (CBX2) in LSCC cells in a competing endogenous RNA mechanisms-dependent manner. Moreover, our rescue experiments evidenced that cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived LncRNA TUC338-containing extracellular vesicles-induced supportive effects in LSCC aggressiveness were all abrogated by overexpressing miR-8485 and silencing CBX2. Collectively, this study is the first to identify a novel m6A/LncRNA TUC338/miR-8485/CBX2 axis in CAFs-EVs-mediated LSCC development, and to show its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Yiyuan Street No. 37, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Linli Tian
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Xuefu Road No. 246, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Xuefu Road No. 246, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Xuefu Road No. 246, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
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13
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Ning J, Chen L, Xiao G, Zeng Y, Shi W, Tanzhu G, Zhou R. The protein arginine methyltransferase family (PRMTs) regulates metastases in various tumors: From experimental study to clinical application. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115456. [PMID: 37696085 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115456] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of mortality among advanced cancer patients. Understanding its mechanisms and treatment strategies is vital for clinical application. Arginine methylation, a post-translational modification catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), is implicated in diverse physiological processes and disease progressions. Previous research has demonstrated PRMTs' involvement in tumor occurrence, progression, and metastasis. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the relationship between PRMTs, prognosis, and metastasis in various cancers. Our focus centers on elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which PRMTs regulate tumor metastasis. We also discuss relevant clinical trials and effective PRMT inhibitors, including chemical compounds, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and nanomaterials, for treating tumor metastasis. While a few studies present conflicting results, the overall trajectory suggests that inhibiting arginine methylation exhibits promise in curtailing tumor metastasis across various cancers. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms and molecular interactions are diverse. The development of inhibitors targeting arginine methylation, along with the progression of clinical trials, holds substantial potential in the field of tumor metastasis, meriting sustained attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Liu Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Wen Shi
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, China.
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14
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Chen X, Zhang L, He Y, Huang S, Chen S, Zhao W, Yu D. Regulation of m 6A modification on ferroptosis and its potential significance in radiosensitization. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:343. [PMID: 37714846 PMCID: PMC10504338 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01645-1] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is often used to treat various types of cancers, but radioresistance greatly limits the clinical efficiency. Recent studies have shown that radiotherapy can lead to ferroptotic cancer cell deaths. Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death caused by excessive lipid peroxidation. The induction of ferroptosis provides a potential therapeutic strategy for radioresistance. As the most common post-transcriptional modification of mRNA, m6A methylation is widely involved in the regulation of various physiopathological processes by regulating RNA function. Dynamic m6A modification controlled by m6A regulatory factors also affects the susceptibility of cells to ferroptosis, thereby determining the radiosensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and significance of radiotherapy induced ferroptosis, analyze the regulatory characteristics of m6A modification on ferroptosis, and discuss the possibility of radiosensitization by enhancing m6A-mediated ferroptosis. Clarifying the regulation of m6A modification on ferroptosis and its significance in the response of tumor cells to radiotherapy will help us identify novel targets to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy and reduce or overcome radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China
| | - Lejia Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi He
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Huang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangwu Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongsheng Yu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Pan L, She H, Wang K, Xia W, Tang H, Fan Y, Ye J. Characterization of the m 6A regulator-mediated methylation modification patterns in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6617. [PMID: 37095314 PMCID: PMC10126108 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33891-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a form of posttranscriptional modification that plays important roles in cancer including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Most studies to date have focused on a limited number of regulators and oncogenic pathways, thus failing to provide comprehensive insight into the dynamic effects of m6A modification. In addition, the role of m6A modification in shaping immune cell infiltration in OSCC has yet to be clarified. This study was designed to assess m6A modification dynamics in OSCC and to understand how such modifications influence clinical immunotherapeutic treatment outcomes. m6A modification patterns linked with 23 m6A regulators were analyzed in 437 OSCC patients from TCGA and GEO cohorts. These patterns were then quantified through m6A score based on algorithms derived from a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The m6A modification patterns of OSCC samples were grouped into two clusters based on the m6A regulators expression, and immune cell infiltration was linked with the 5-year survival outcomes of patients in these clusters. 1575 genes associated with OSCC patient prognosis were identified and used to re-cluster these samples into two groups. Patients in clusters exhibiting higher levels of m6A regulator expression exhibited poorer overall survival (OS), whereas patients with high m6A scores survived for longer (p < 0.001). The overall mortality rates in the groups of patients with low and high m6A scores were 55% and 40%, respectively, and the m6A score distributions in clusters of patients grouped by m6A modification patterns and gene expression further supported the link between a high m6A score and better prognostic outcomes. Immunophenoscore (IPS) values for patients in different m6A score groups suggested that the use of PD-1-specific antibodies or CTLA-4 inhibitors alone or in combination would yield superior treatment outcomes in patients in the high-m6A score group relative to the low-m6A score group. m6A modification patterns are relevant to heterogeneity in OSCC. Detailed analyses of m6A modification patterns may thus offer novel insight regarding immune cell infiltration within the OSCC tumor microenvironment, guiding novel efforts to provide patients with more effective immunotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Pan
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - He She
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keyi Wang
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenhui Xia
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haonan Tang
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Fan
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jinhai Ye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 136# Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
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Pan J, Huang T, Deng Z, Zou C. Roles and therapeutic implications of m6A modification in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1132601. [PMID: 36960074 PMCID: PMC10028070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1132601] [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: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant, dynamic, and reversible epigenetic RNA modification in eukaryotes, is regulated by a series of enzymes, including methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and m6A recognition proteins (readers). Aberrant regulation of m6A modification is pivotal for tumorigenesis, progression, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis of malignant tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, as recognized by the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology. However, not all cancer patients response to ICI therapy, which is thought to be the result of intricate immune escape mechanisms. Recently, numerous studies have suggested a novel role for m6A epigenetic modification in the regulation of tumor immune evasion. Herein, we review the relevant mechanisms of m6A regulators in regulating various key signaling pathways in cancer biology and how m6A epigenetic modifications regulate the expression of immune checkpoints, opening a new window to understand the roles and mechanisms of m6A epigenetic modifications in regulating tumor immune evasion. In addition, we highlight the prospects and development directions of future combined immunotherapy strategies based on m6A modification targeting, providing directions for promoting the treatment outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pan
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, The 2nd Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People’s Hospital) of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tuxiong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenjun Deng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Zou
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, The 2nd Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People’s Hospital) of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Public Service Platform On Tumor Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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17
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Zhou X, Li C, Chen T, Li W, Wang X, Yang Q. Targeting RNA N6-methyladenosine to synergize with immune checkpoint therapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:36. [PMID: 36810108 PMCID: PMC9942356 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01746-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint therapy, has revolutionized therapeutic options by reactivating the host immune system. However, the efficacy varies, and only a small portion of patients develop sustained antitumor responses. Hence, illustrating novel strategies that improve the clinical outcome of immune checkpoint therapy is urgently needed. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been proved to be an efficient and dynamic posttranscriptional modification process. It is involved in numerous RNA processing, such as splicing, trafficking, translation and degradation. Compelling evidence emphasizes the paramount role of m6A modification in the regulation of immune response. These findings may provide a foundation for the rational combination of targeting m6A modification and immune checkpoints in cancer treatment. In the present review, we summarize the current landscape of m6A modification in RNA biology, and highlight the latest findings on the complex mechanisms by which m6A modification governs immune checkpoint molecules. Furthermore, given the critical role of m6A modification in antitumor immunity, we discuss the clinical significance of targeting m6A modification to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy for cancer control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong China ,grid.476866.dDepartment of Breast Surgery, Binzhou People’s Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Tong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,Department of Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Xi Road No. 107, Shandong, Jinan, China. .,Research Institute of Breast Cancer, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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18
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Roles of RNA Methylations in Cancer Progression, Autophagy, and Anticancer Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044225. [PMID: 36835633 PMCID: PMC9959100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA methylations play critical roles in RNA processes, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, nonsense-mediated RNA decay, and translation. Regulators of RNA methylations have been shown to be differentially expressed between tumor tissues/cancer cells and adjacent tissues/normal cells. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification of RNAs in eukaryotes. m6A regulators include m6A writers, m6A demethylases, and m6A binding proteins. Since m6A regulators play important roles in regulating the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, targeting m6A regulators can be a strategy for developing anticancer drugs. Anticancer drugs targeting m6A regulators are in clinical trials. m6A regulator-targeting drugs could enhance the anticancer effects of current chemotherapy drugs. This review summarizes the roles of m6A regulators in cancer initiation and progression, autophagy, and anticancer drug resistance. The review also discusses the relationship between autophagy and anticancer drug resistance, the effect of high levels of m6A on autophagy and the potential values of m6A regulators as diagnostic markers and anticancer therapeutic targets.
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19
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Li X, Fang J, Tao X, Xia J, Cheng B, Wang Y. Splice site m 6A methylation prevents binding of DGCR8 to suppress KRT4 pre-mRNA splicing in oral squamous cell carcinoma. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14824. [PMID: 36811004 PMCID: PMC9939020 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 11th most prevalent tumor worldwide. Despite advantages of therapeutic approaches, the 5-year survival rate of patients with OSCC is less than 50%. It is urgent to elucidate mechanisms underlying OSCC progression for developing novel treatment strategies. Our recent study has revealed that Keratin 4 (KRT4) suppresses OSCC development, which is downregulated in OSCC. Nevertheless, the mechanism downregulating KRT4 in OSCC remains unknown. In this study, touchdown PCR was utilized to detect KRT4 pre-mRNA splicing, while m6A RNA methylation was identified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP). Besides, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to determine RNA-protein interaction. Herein, this study indicated that intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA was suppressed in OSCC. Mechanistically, m6A methylation of exon-intron boundaries prevented intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA in OSCC. Besides, m6A methylation suppressed the binding of splice factor DGCR8 microprocessor complex subunit (DGCR8) to exon-intron boundaries in KRT4 pre-mRNA to prohibit intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA in OSCC. These findings revealed the mechanism downregulating KRT4 in OSCC and provided potential therapeutic targets for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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20
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RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) Methyltransferase-like 3 Facilitates Tumorigenesis and Cisplatin Resistance of Arecoline-Exposed Oral Carcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223605. [PMID: 36429032 PMCID: PMC9688745 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arecoline is known as the main active carcinogen found in areca nut extract that drives the pathological progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Studies have revealed that dysregulation of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase components is intimately linked to cancer initiation and progression, including oral cancer. METHODS The arecoline-induced dysregulated methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) gene was identified using RNA-seq transcriptome assay. Using in vitro and in vivo models, the biological roles of METTL3 in arecoline-transformed oral cancer were examined. RESULTS We found that METTL3 was markedly elevated in arecoline-exposed OSCC cell lines and OSCC tissues of areca nut chewers. We identified that hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) stimulated METTL3 expression at the transcriptional level and further proved that METTL3-MYC-HIF-1α formed a positive autoregulation loop in arecoline-transformed OSCC cells. Subsequently, we manifested that METTL3 depletion profoundly reduced cell proliferation, cell migration, oncogenicity, and cisplatin resistance of arecoline-exposed OSCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Developing novel strategies to target METTL3 may be a potential way to treat OSCC patients, particularly those with areca nut chewing history and receiving cisplatin treatment.
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21
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Chen X, Chen L, Tang Y, He Y, Pan K, Yuan L, Xie W, Chen S, Zhao W, Yu D. Transcriptome-wide m6A methylome analysis uncovered the changes of m6A modification in oral pre-malignant cells compared with normal oral epithelial cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:939449. [PMID: 36249071 PMCID: PMC9554554 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most common post-transcriptional RNA modification, m6A methylation extensively regulates the structure and function of RNA. The dynamic and reversible modification of m6A is coordinated by m6A writers and erasers. m6A reader proteins recognize m6A modification on RNA, mediating different downstream biological functions. mRNA m6A modification and its corresponding regulators play an important role in cancers, but its characteristics in the precancerous stage are still unclear. In this study, we used oral precancerous DOK cells as a model to explore the characteristics of transcriptome-wide m6A modification and major m6A regulator expression in the precancerous stage compared with normal oral epithelial cell HOEC and oral cancer cell SCC-9 through MeRIP-seq and RT-PCR. Compared with HOEC cells, we found 1180 hyper-methylated and 1606 hypo-methylated m6A peaks and 354 differentially expressed mRNAs with differential m6A peaks in DOK cells. Although the change of m6A modification in DOK cells was less than that in SCC-9 cells, mRNAs with differential m6A in both cell lines were enriched into many identical GO terms and KEGG pathways. Among the 20 known m6A regulatory genes, FTO, ALKBH5, METTL3 and VIRMA were upregulated or downregulated in DOK cells, and the expression levels of 10 genes such as METTL14/16, FTO and IGF2BP2/3 were significantly changed in SCC-9 cells. Our data suggest that precancerous cells showed, to some extent, changes of m6A modification. Identifying some key m6A targets and corresponding regulators in precancerous stage may provide potential intervention targets for the prevention of cancer development through epigenetic modification in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liutao Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuquan Tang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi He
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kuangwu Pan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linyu Yuan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weihong Xie
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shangwu Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Zhao, ; Dongsheng Yu,
| | - Dongsheng Yu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Zhao, ; Dongsheng Yu,
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22
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Song Z, Wang X, Chen F, Chen Q, Liu W, Yang X, Zhu X, Liu X, Wang P. LncRNA MALAT1 regulates METTL3-mediated PD-L1 expression and immune infiltrates in pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1004212. [PMID: 36212476 PMCID: PMC9533337 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1004212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The main methods of treating pancreatic cancer are surgery and chemotherapy, but the treatment efficacy is low with a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy represented by PD-1/PD-L1 has brought a milestone progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, the unique tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer presents challenges for immunotherapy. In addition, m6A is a common RNA modification and a potential molecular target in tumor therapy. The expression pattern of m6A in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. LncRNAs also play an essential role in pancreatic cancer development and treatment. In this study, we found that some m6A regulators were significantly elevated in pancreatic cancer and associated with the expression of PD-1/PD-L1. Moreover, we observed that METTL3 can increase the expression of PD-L1. Notably, METTL3 positively regulates the expression of lncRNA MALAT1 in pancreatic cancer cells. Strikingly, lncRNA MALAT1 increased the expression of PD-L1 in pancreatic cancer cells. This finding indicated that METTL3 regulated the expression of PD-L1 possibly via targeting lncRNA MALAT1 in pancreatic cancer cells. Lastly, MALAT1 governed the viability of pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, lncRNA MALAT1 is involved in METTL3-mediated promotion of PD-L1 expression in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Song
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Qiuli Chen
- Department of Research and Development, Zhejiang Zhongwei Medical Research Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Department of Research and Development, Zhejiang Zhongwei Medical Research Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodan Yang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xun Zhu
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaorong Liu, ; Peter Wang,
| | - Peter Wang
- Department of Research and Development, Zhejiang Zhongwei Medical Research Center, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaorong Liu, ; Peter Wang,
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23
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Li W, Hao Y, Zhang X, Xu S, Pang D. Targeting RNA N 6-methyladenosine modification: a precise weapon in overcoming tumor immune escape. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:176. [PMID: 36071523 PMCID: PMC9454167 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01652-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized the treatment of many types of cancer, particularly advanced-stage cancers. Nevertheless, although a subset of patients experiences dramatic and long-term disease regression in response to ICIs, most patients do not benefit from these treatments. Some may even experience cancer progression. Immune escape by tumor cells may be a key reason for this low response rate. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common type of RNA methylation and has been recognized as a critical regulator of tumors and the immune system. Therefore, m6A modification and related regulators are promising targets for improving the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. However, the association between m6A modification and tumor immune escape (TIE) has not been comprehensively summarized. Therefore, this review summarizes the existing knowledge regarding m6A modifications involved in TIE and their potential mechanisms of action. Moreover, we provide an overview of currently available agents targeting m6A regulators that have been tested for their elevated effects on TIE. This review establishes the association between m6A modifications and TIE and provides new insights and strategies for maximizing the efficacy of immunotherapy by specifically targeting m6A modifications involved in TIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Hao
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xingda Zhang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shouping Xu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Da Pang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China. .,Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
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24
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Saikia M, Bhattacharyya DK, Kalita JK. CBDCEM: An effective centrality based differential co-expression method for critical gene finding. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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25
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Fang Z, Mei W, Qu C, Lu J, Shang L, Cao F, Li F. Role of m6A writers, erasers and readers in cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:45. [PMID: 35945641 PMCID: PMC9361621 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00298-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most pervasive modification of human RNAs. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have suggested that m6A likely plays important roles in cancers. Many studies have demonstrated that m6A is involved in the biological functions of cancer cells, such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In addition, m6A is closely related to the prognosis of cancer patients. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the function of m6A in various cancers. We emphasize the importance of m6A to cancer progression and look forward to describe future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Fang
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wentong Mei
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Qu
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiongdi Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Shang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Feng Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Fei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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26
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Liu Z, Yu X, Xu L, Li Y, Zeng C. Current insight into the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:44. [PMID: 35907881 PMCID: PMC9338491 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape are a core topic in cancer immunology research. Cancer cells can escape T cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity by exploiting the inhibitory programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1, CD274) immune checkpoint. Studying the PD-L1 regulatory pattern of tumor cells will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and improve cancer treatment. Recent studies have found that tumor cells regulate PD-L1 at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels and influence the anti-tumor immune response by regulating PD-L1. In this review, we focus on the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells and summarize the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuandi Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xibao Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chengwu Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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27
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N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) reader IGF2BP2 stabilizes HK2 stability to accelerate the Warburg effect of oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 148:3375-3384. [PMID: 35763110 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04093-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and metastasis in multiple cancers. However, the biological significance of m6A reader IGF2BP2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the mechanism of IGF2BP2 itself have not been fully investigated. METHODS The cellular phenotypes of OSCC cells were determined by CCK-8 and transwell migration assays. The energy metabolism was detected using glucose uptake/lactate production assay and extracellular acidification rate analysis. The molecular interaction was tested by RNA immunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS Here, results indicated that IGF2BP2 was up-regulated in OSCC and that it acted as a predictor of poor prognosis. IGF2BP2 promoted the proliferation, migration and Warburg effect of OSCC cells in vitro. Mechanistical assays illustrated that IGF2BP2 directly interacted with HK2 mRNA by binding the 3'-UTR m6A site. Moreover, IGF2BP2 positively promoted the stability of HK2 mRNA and thus the protein level of HK2 increased upon IGF2BP2 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the IGF2BP2/m6A/HK2 axis accelerated the abnormal energy metabolism of OSCC. Taken together, these findings revealed a novel mechanism by which IGF2BP2 functions in OSCC progression, which may provide new therapy options for OSCC patients.
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28
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Li J, Momen-Heravi F, Wu X, He K. Mechanism of METTL14 and m6A modification of lncRNA MALAT1 in the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Oral Dis 2022. [PMID: 35467063 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) plays an epigenetic role in various cancer through N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. This study sought to analyze the mechanism of METTL14 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell proliferation. METHODS Expression levels of METTL14, lncRNA metastasis associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1), microRNA (miR)-224-5p, and histone lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) in OSCC tissues (N = 40), and cell lines (FaDu, SCC-25, CAL-27, and SCC-15) were detected. Cell viability and colony formation capacity were assessed. m6A level, stability, and subcellular localization of lncRNA MALAT1 were determined. Nude mouse xenograft tumor assay was performed to confirm the role of METTL14 in vivo. RESULTS METTL14 and lncRNA MALAT1 were upregulated, and miR-224-5p was downregulated in OSCC tissues and cells. Silencing METTL14 repressed OSCC cell viability and colony formation. Overexpression of MALAT1 and KDM2A or miR-224-5p downregulation reversed the inhibition of silencing METTL14 on OSCC cell proliferation. METTL14 induced m6A modification of MALAT1 to upregulate MALAT1. MALAT1 is comparatively bound to miR-224-5p to promote KDM2A transcription. In vivo, METTL14 promoted tumor growth via regulating MALAT1/miR-224-5p/ KDM2A. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings verified the therapeutic role of silencing METTL14 in OSCC treatment through the MALAT1/miR-224-5p/KDM2A axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinli Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, 923 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Fatemeh Momen-Heravi
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Division of Periodontics, Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xun Wu
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Southern Medical University Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kaili He
- Department of Stomatology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China
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29
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Targeting N6-methyladenosine RNA modification combined with immune checkpoint Inhibitors: A new approach for cancer therapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5150-5161. [PMID: 36187919 PMCID: PMC9508382 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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30
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Huo XX, Wang SJ, Song H, Li MD, Yu H, Wang M, Gong HX, Qiu XT, Zhu YF, Zhang JY. Roles of Major RNA Adenosine Modifications in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:779779. [PMID: 34899345 PMCID: PMC8657411 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.779779] [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: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer malignancy worldwide and is known to have poor prognosis. The pathogenesis behind the development of HNSCC is not fully understood. Modifications on RNA are involved in many pathophysiological processes, such as tumor development and inflammation. Adenosine-related RNA modifications have shown to be linked to cancer and may play a role in cancer occurrence and development. To date, there are at least 170 different chemical RNA modifications that modify coding and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These modifications affect RNA stability and transcription efficiency. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the four major RNA adenosine modifications (N6-Methyladenosine, N1-Methyladenosine, Alternative Polyadenylation Modification and A-to-I RNA editing) and their potential molecular mechanisms related to HNSCC development and progression. We also touch on how these RNA modifications affect treatment of HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Xing Huo
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, Scientific Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Shu-Jie Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Hang Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ming-de Li
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, Scientific Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Hong-Xiao Gong
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, Scientific Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Qiu
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, Scientific Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yong-Fu Zhu
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, Scientific Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jian-Ye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology and the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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