METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by poor responsiveness to immune evasion and immunotherapy. RNA 7-methylguanine (m7G) modification plays a key role in tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms by which m7G-modified RNA metabolism affects tumor progression are not fully unde...

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Main Authors: Fang Wang, Chen Yang, Fang Zheng, Yang Yan, Guifang Li, Yanyan Feng, Hejia Xu, Zilong He, Dongyan Cai, Hairong Sun, Xiaowei Qi, Yong Mao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Translational Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05991-1
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author Fang Wang
Chen Yang
Fang Zheng
Yang Yan
Guifang Li
Yanyan Feng
Hejia Xu
Zilong He
Dongyan Cai
Hairong Sun
Xiaowei Qi
Yong Mao
author_facet Fang Wang
Chen Yang
Fang Zheng
Yang Yan
Guifang Li
Yanyan Feng
Hejia Xu
Zilong He
Dongyan Cai
Hairong Sun
Xiaowei Qi
Yong Mao
author_sort Fang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by poor responsiveness to immune evasion and immunotherapy. RNA 7-methylguanine (m7G) modification plays a key role in tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms by which m7G-modified RNA metabolism affects tumor progression are not fully understood, nor is the contribution of m7G-modified RNA to the CRC immune microenvironment. Methods The expression levels of Methyltransferase-like 1 (METTL1) and m7G in human tissues were determined. In this study, the effect of METTL1 on RNA m7G levels was evaluated, the effect of METTL1 on PKM mRNA modification was confirmed, the expression level of the PKM2 protein was detected, and the mechanism involved RT‒qPCR, Western blot, RNA stability analysis and RIP analysis. Lactate and H3K9 lactylation (H3K9la) induced by METTL1/PKM2 were analyzed via the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and lactic acid assays. Cut&Run was used to detect METTL1/PKM2-induced CD155 (PVR) transcription. In addition, METTL1 knockout mice were studied in vivo with CD155 blockers. Results We demonstrated that m7G RNA METTL1 enhances PKM2 expression by acting on PKM mRNA, leading to tumor progression and increased glycolysis. Specifically, METTL1 mediates m7G methylation of PKM mRNA and enhances the expression of its encoded PKM2, which in turn enhances glycolysis, promotes H3K9la, and activates METTL1 transcription, creating a positive feedback loop. Moreover, increased PKM2 dimer expression and nuclear translocation activated CD155 expression and induced CRC immune evasion. Conclusions Our findings reveal a general mechanism by which METTL1/PKM2/H3K9la signaling regulates RNA metabolism and highlight METTL1 targeting as a potential strategy for CRC immunotherapy.
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spelling doaj-art-c79c94ee880c487c976a0a9feaa9019a2025-01-05T12:44:25ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762024-12-0122111910.1186/s12967-024-05991-1METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancerFang Wang0Chen Yang1Fang Zheng2Yang Yan3Guifang Li4Yanyan Feng5Hejia Xu6Zilong He7Dongyan Cai8Hairong Sun9Xiaowei Qi10Yong Mao11Department of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityLaboratory of Oncology Precision Diagnosis and Treatment, Wuxi Medical College of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityLaboratory of Oncology Precision Diagnosis and Treatment, Wuxi Medical College of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartemnt of Pediatrics, Wuxi Fifth Hospital Affiliated to Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityAbstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by poor responsiveness to immune evasion and immunotherapy. RNA 7-methylguanine (m7G) modification plays a key role in tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms by which m7G-modified RNA metabolism affects tumor progression are not fully understood, nor is the contribution of m7G-modified RNA to the CRC immune microenvironment. Methods The expression levels of Methyltransferase-like 1 (METTL1) and m7G in human tissues were determined. In this study, the effect of METTL1 on RNA m7G levels was evaluated, the effect of METTL1 on PKM mRNA modification was confirmed, the expression level of the PKM2 protein was detected, and the mechanism involved RT‒qPCR, Western blot, RNA stability analysis and RIP analysis. Lactate and H3K9 lactylation (H3K9la) induced by METTL1/PKM2 were analyzed via the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and lactic acid assays. Cut&Run was used to detect METTL1/PKM2-induced CD155 (PVR) transcription. In addition, METTL1 knockout mice were studied in vivo with CD155 blockers. Results We demonstrated that m7G RNA METTL1 enhances PKM2 expression by acting on PKM mRNA, leading to tumor progression and increased glycolysis. Specifically, METTL1 mediates m7G methylation of PKM mRNA and enhances the expression of its encoded PKM2, which in turn enhances glycolysis, promotes H3K9la, and activates METTL1 transcription, creating a positive feedback loop. Moreover, increased PKM2 dimer expression and nuclear translocation activated CD155 expression and induced CRC immune evasion. Conclusions Our findings reveal a general mechanism by which METTL1/PKM2/H3K9la signaling regulates RNA metabolism and highlight METTL1 targeting as a potential strategy for CRC immunotherapy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05991-1M7G methylationMETTL1PKM2H3K9laColorectal cancerImmune evasion
spellingShingle Fang Wang
Chen Yang
Fang Zheng
Yang Yan
Guifang Li
Yanyan Feng
Hejia Xu
Zilong He
Dongyan Cai
Hairong Sun
Xiaowei Qi
Yong Mao
METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
Journal of Translational Medicine
M7G methylation
METTL1
PKM2
H3K9la
Colorectal cancer
Immune evasion
title METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
title_full METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
title_fullStr METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
title_full_unstemmed METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
title_short METTL1 mediates PKM m7G modification to regulate CD155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
title_sort mettl1 mediates pkm m7g modification to regulate cd155 expression and promote immune evasion in colorectal cancer
topic M7G methylation
METTL1
PKM2
H3K9la
Colorectal cancer
Immune evasion
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05991-1
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