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Multiple Functions and Mechanisms Underlying the Role of METTL3 in Human Cancers

Wenhui Zheng1, Xiaoshen Dong2, Yan Zhao2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, The Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|January 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is a key enzyme in cancer progression, acting as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor. Its dysregulation impacts multiple cancer hallmarks, making it a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is a critical enzyme in the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase system.
  • METTL3's role in human cancers is complex and controversial, exhibiting dual functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor.
  • Dysregulation of METTL3 is linked to various aspects of tumor progression, including tumorigenesis, proliferation, invasion, migration, cell cycle, differentiation, and viability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on the role of METTL3 in diverse human malignancies.
  • To explore the potential of METTL3 as a prognostic and therapeutic target in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating METTL3 expression and function in human cancers.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying METTL3's pro- or anti-cancer effects, including m6A-dependent modifications and direct translation promotion.

Main Results:

  • METTL3 influences multiple signaling pathways crucial for tumor progression.
  • METTL3 can directly promote oncogene translation by interacting with the translation initiation machinery, specifically recruiting eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit h (eIF3h).

Conclusions:

  • METTL3 plays a significant and multifaceted role in various human cancers.
  • Understanding METTL3's complex functions is essential for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Keywords:
METTL3cancerm6Amechanismpathway

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