N6-methyladenosine-mediated upregulation of MANF promotes ER stress resistance in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a significant clinical challenge due to its increasing incidence and resistance to conventional therapy. This study identifies an unprecedented mechanism by which mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) contributes to RCC progression. Fr...

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Main Authors: Junjie Cen, Dongliang Zhao, Xin Shi, Jinlong Chen, Hang Zhou, Yanping Liang, Chengpeng Gui, Wei Chen, Junhang Luo, Xu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-07-01
Series:Cell Death and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07798-4
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Summary:Abstract Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a significant clinical challenge due to its increasing incidence and resistance to conventional therapy. This study identifies an unprecedented mechanism by which mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) contributes to RCC progression. From single-cell transcriptome, we observed a significant upregulation of MANF in RCC compared to its progenitor cells, the proximal tubular cells. Mechanistically, decreased N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on MANF mRNA, mediated by the upregulation of the m6A demethylase ALKBH5, led to reduced RNA degradation and increased MANF protein expression. Furthermore, while the common von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) deletion in RCC results in the accumulation of misfolded proteins and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, increased MANF efficiently mitigated ER stress by binding to phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme-1 alpha (IRE1α) and inhibited its phosphorylation, indicating that MANF-mediated ER stress resistance compensates for the negative effects of VHL depletion and contributes to the survival of RCC. Our findings highlight a potential therapeutic strategy for RCC by targeting the m6A-mediated regulation, directly degrading MANF protein or inhibiting its function.
ISSN:2041-4889