Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
13:15
Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk1
Published on: February 25, 2016
Enhanced mRNA cap methylation increases cyclin D1 expression and promotes cell transformation
1Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. v.h.cowling@dundee.ac.uk
Oncogene
|November 17, 2009
Summary
mRNA cap methylation, regulated by RNA guanine-7-methyltransferase (RNMT), is rate-limiting for oncogene expression and cell transformation. Enhancing RNMT activity promotes cell transformation and oncogene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Cap-dependent mRNA translation is crucial for gene expression.
- RNA guanine-7-methyltransferase (RNMT) catalyzes mRNA cap methylation.
- Previous studies suggested mRNA cap methylation is rate-limiting for some mRNAs and influenced by c-Myc and E2F1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological significance of mRNA cap methylation in cell transformation.
- To determine if RNMT expression impacts cell transformation.
- To explore the role of mRNA cap methylation in oncogene expression.
Main Methods:
- Assessing cellular mRNA cap methyltransferase activity.
- Evaluating the effect of increased RNMT expression on mammary epithelial cell transformation.
- Investigating the cooperation of RNMT with oncogenes like H-RasV12 and c-Myc in fibroblast transformation.
- Analyzing Cyclin D1 mRNA methylation status and expression levels.
Main Results:
- Increased RNMT expression enhances cellular mRNA cap methyltransferase activity.
- Enhanced RNMT expression promotes mammary epithelial cell transformation.
- RNMT cooperates with H-RasV12 or c-Myc to promote fibroblast cell transformation.
- A fraction of Cyclin D1 mRNA is unmethylated and dormant; its expression increases with enhanced mRNA cap methylation.
Conclusions:
- mRNA cap methylation is rate-limiting for the expression of the oncogene Cyclin D1.
- mRNA cap methylation is a critical factor in cell transformation.
- RNMT activity plays a significant role in oncogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:07MAPK Signaling Cascades
Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
02:39Positive Regulator Molecules
Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
01:45Positive Regulator Molecules
To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
02:15M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
02:15M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...