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Zhang S, Zhou L, Yang J, Lu J, Tao L, Feng Y, Cheng J, Zhao L. Rhein exerts anti-multidrug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia via targeting FTO to inhibit AKT/mTOR. Anticancer Drugs 2024; 35:597-605. [PMID: 38728095 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001608] [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: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapy failure and resistance are the leading causes of mortality in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the role of m6A demethylase FTO and its inhibitor rhein in AML and AML drug resistance is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antileukemic effect of rhein on AML and explore its potential mechanisms underlying drug resistance. Bone marrow fluid was collected to assess FTO expression in AML. The Cell Counting Kit 8 reagent was used to assess cell viability. Migration assays were conducted to assess the cell migration capacity. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic effects of rhein and western blot analysis was used to detect protein expression. Online SynergyFinder software was used to calculate the drug synergy scores. The in-vivo antileukemic effect of rhein was assessed in an AML xenograft mouse model. We analyzed different types of AML bone marrow specimens to confirm that FTO is overexpressed in AML, particularly in cases of multidrug resistance. Subsequently, we conducted in-vivo and in-vitro investigations to explore the pharmacological activity and mechanism of rhein in AML and AML with multidrug resistance. The findings demonstrated that rhein effectively suppressed the proliferation and migration of AML cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. Rhein targets FTO, inhibits the AKT/mTOR pathway, and exhibits synergistic antitumor effects when combined with azacitidine. This study elucidates the significant role of FTO and its inhibitor rhein in AML and AML with multidrug resistance, providing new insights for overcoming multidrug resistance in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Animals
- Mice
- Anthraquinones/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/metabolism
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Female
- Male
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Mice, Nude
- Middle Aged
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Lanxia Zhou
- Clinical Cellular Molecular Genetics and Immunology Laboratory
| | - Jincai Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Jianle Lu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Lili Tao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Youfan Feng
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Juan Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Clinical Cellular Molecular Genetics and Immunology Laboratory
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Huang Y, Lv Y, Yang B, Zhang S, Bixia liu, Zhang C, Hu W, Jiang L, Chen C, Ji D, Xiong C, Liang Y, Liu M, Ying X, Ji W. Enhancing m 6A modification of lncRNA through METTL3 and RBM15 to promote malignant progression in bladder cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28165. [PMID: 38560117 PMCID: PMC10979072 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28165] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Bladder cancer is one of the most prominent malignancies affecting the urinary tract, characterized by a poor prognosis. Our previous research has underscored the pivotal role of m6A methylation in the progression of bladder cancer. Nevertheless, the precise relationship between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and bladder cancer remains elusive. Methods This study harnessed sequencing data and clinical records from 408 bladder cancer patients in the TCGA database. Employing R software, we conducted bioinformatics analysis to establish an m6A-lncRNA co-expression network. Analyzing the differences between high and low-risk groups, particularly at the immunological level, and subsequently investigating the primary regulatory factors of these lncRNA, validating the findings through experiments, and exploring their specific cellular functions. Results We identified 50 m6A-related lncRNA with prognostic significance through univariate Cox regression analysis. In parallel, we employed a LASSO-Cox regression model to pinpoint 11 lncRNA and calculate risk scores for bladder cancer patients. Based on the median risk score, patients were categorized into low-risk and high-risk groups. The high-risk cohort exhibited notably lower survival rates than their low-risk counterparts. Further analysis pointed to RBM15 and METTL3 as potential master regulators of these m6A-lncRNA. Experimental findings also shed light on the upregulated expression of METTlL3 and RBM15 in bladder cancer, where they contributed to the malignant progression of tumors. The experimental findings demonstrated a significant upregulation of METTL3 and RBM15 in bladder cancer specimens, implicating their contributory role in the oncogenic progression. Knockdown of METTL3 and RBM15 resulted in a marked attenuation of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, which was concomitant with a downregulation in the cellular m6A methylation status. Moreover, these results revealed that RBM15 and METTL3 function in a synergistic capacity, positing their involvement in cancer promotion via the upregulation of m6A modifications in long non-coding RNAs. Additionally, this study successfully developed an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat model of in situ bladder carcinoma, confirming the elevated expression of RBM15 and METTL3, which paralleled the overexpression of m6A-related- lncRNAs observed in bladder cancer cell lines. This congruence underscores the potential utility of these molecular markers in in vivo models that mirror human malignancies. Conclusion This study not only offers novel molecular targets,but also enriches the research on m6A modification in bladder cancer, thereby facilitating its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapeng Huang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Lv
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangzhou, 510230, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baotong Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangzhou, 510230, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shike Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bixia liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenyu Hu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Cong Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ding Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chang Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, China
| | - Yaoming Liang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingrui Liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Ying
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangzhou, 510230, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Weidong Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Chen H, Liu H, Zhang C, Xiao N, Li Y, Zhao X, Zhang R, Gu H, Kang Q, Wan J. RNA methylation-related inhibitors: Biological basis and therapeutic potential for cancer therapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1644. [PMID: 38572667 PMCID: PMC10993167 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA methylation is widespread in nature. Abnormal expression of proteins associated with RNA methylation is strongly associated with a number of human diseases including cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that targeting RNA methylation holds promise for cancer treatment. This review specifically describes several common RNA modifications, such as the relatively well-studied N6-methyladenosine, as well as 5-methylcytosine and pseudouridine (Ψ). The regulatory factors involved in these modifications and their roles in RNA are also comprehensively discussed. We summarise the diverse regulatory functions of these modifications across different types of RNAs. Furthermore, we elucidate the structural characteristics of these modifications along with the development of specific inhibitors targeting them. Additionally, recent advancements in small molecule inhibitors targeting RNA modifications are presented to underscore their immense potential and clinical significance in enhancing therapeutic efficacy against cancer. KEY POINTS: In this paper, several important types of RNA modifications and their related regulatory factors are systematically summarised. Several regulatory factors related to RNA modification types were associated with cancer progression, and their relationships with cancer cell migration, invasion, drug resistance and immune environment were summarised. In this paper, the inhibitors targeting different regulators that have been proposed in recent studies are summarised in detail, which is of great significance for the development of RNA modification regulators and cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanxiang Chen
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- School of Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Hongyang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Chenxing Zhang
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Nan Xiao
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | | | - Ruike Zhang
- Academy of Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Huihui Gu
- Academy of Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Qiaozhen Kang
- School of Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Junhu Wan
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
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Yu L, Gao Y, Bao Q, Xu M, Lu J, Du W. Effects of N6-methyladenosine modification on metabolic reprogramming in digestive tract tumors. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24414. [PMID: 38293446 PMCID: PMC10826742 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24414] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant RNA modification within cells, participates in various biological and pathological processes, including self-renewal, invasion and proliferation, drug resistance, and stem cell characteristics. The m6A methylation plays a crucial role in tumors by regulating multiple RNA processes such as transcription, processing, and translation. Three protein types are primarily involved in m6A methylation: methyltransferases (such as METTL3, METTL14, ZC3H13, and KIAA1429), demethylases (such as FTO, ALKBH5), and RNA-binding proteins (such as the family of YTHDF, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, and IGF2BPs). Various metabolic pathways are reprogrammed in digestive tumors to meet the heightened growth demands and sustain cellular functionality. Recent studies have highlighted the extensive impact of m6A on the regulation of digestive tract tumor metabolism, further modulating tumor initiation and progression. Our review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the expression patterns, functional roles, and regulatory mechanisms of m6A in digestive tract tumor metabolism-related molecules and pathways. The characterization of expression profiles of m6A regulatory factors and in-depth studies on m6A methylation in digestive system tumors may provide new directions for clinical prediction and innovative therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qiongling Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Min Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Juan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Weibo Du
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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Zhou W, Li S, Wang H, Zhou J, Li S, Chen G, Guan W, Fu X, Nervi C, Yu L, Li Y. A novel AML1-ETO/FTO positive feedback loop promotes leukemogenesis and Ara-C resistance via stabilizing IGFBP2 in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:9. [PMID: 38268050 PMCID: PMC10807068 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00480-z] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND t(8;21)(q22;q22) is one of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to the generation of the fusion protein AML1-ETO. Despite t(8;21) AML being considered as a subtype with a favorable prognosis, approximately 30-50% of patients experience drug resistance and subsequent relapse. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is demonstrated to be involved in the development of AML. However, the regulatory mechanisms between AML1-ETO and m6A-related enzymes and the roles of dysregulated m6A modifications in the t(8;21)-leukemogenesis and chemoresistance remain elusive. METHODS Chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter assay, m6A-qPCR, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA stability assay were used to investigate a regulatory loop between AML1-ETO and FTO, an m6A demethylase. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments both in vitro and in vivo were further performed. Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing and m6A sequencing were conducted to identify the potential targets of FTO. RESULTS Here we show that FTO is highly expressed in t(8;21) AML, especially in patients with primary refractory disease. The expression of FTO is positively correlated with AML1-ETO, which is attributed to a positive regulatory loop between the AML1-ETO and FTO. Mechanistically, AML1-ETO upregulates FTO expression through inhibiting the transcriptional repression of FTO mediated by PU.1. Meanwhile, FTO promotes the expression of AML1-ETO by inhibiting YTHDF2-mediated AML1-ETO mRNA decay. Inactivation of FTO significantly suppresses cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation and renders resistant t(8;21) AML cells sensitive to Ara-C. FTO exerts functions by regulating its mRNA targets, especially IGFBP2, in an m6A-dependent manner. Regain of Ara-C tolerance is observed when IGFBP2 is overexpressed in FTO-knockdown t(8;21) AML cells. CONCLUSION Our work reveals a therapeutic potential of targeting AML1-ETO/FTO/IGFBP2 minicircuitry in the treatment for t(8;21) patients with resistance to Ara-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Siying Li
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 511400, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuyi Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Guofeng Chen
- Department of Endoscopy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology of Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Senior Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xianli Fu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma La Sapienza, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yonghui Li
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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