Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025
28:15
Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer
Published on: July 28, 2010
12.6K
METTL3/YTHDF2 m6A axis accelerates colorectal carcinogenesis through epigenetically suppressing YPEL5
Dan Zhou1,2,3, Weiwei Tang4, Yidan Xu1,2
1Research Center of Natural Cosmeceuticals Engineering, Xiamen Medical College, China.
Molecular Oncology
|January 7, 2021
Summary
Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis by regulating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. High METTL3 expression predicts poor CRC prognosis, suggesting it as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key mRNA modification in cancer.
- The role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological function and mechanism of METTL3 in CRC progression.
- To explore METTL3 as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for CRC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of METTL3 expression in CRC tissues, cell lines, and plasma.
- In vitro and in vivo functional assays (knockdown and overexpression) of METTL3 in CRC cells.
- Mechanistic studies involving m6A modification, YPEL5, YTHDF2, CCNB1, and PCNA.
Main Results:
- METTL3 is upregulated in CRC and associated with poor prognosis.
- METTL3 knockdown inhibits CRC cell proliferation and migration; overexpression accelerates tumor formation and metastasis.
- METTL3 epigenetically represses YPEL5 via an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent pathway, reducing CCNB1 and PCNA expression.
Conclusions:
- METTL3 plays a critical role in CRC tumorigenesis by promoting tumor growth and metastasis.
- The METTL3-m6A-YTHDF2-YPEL5 axis is a key mechanism in CRC progression.
- METTL3 represents a promising target for CRC diagnosis and therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.4K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.4K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
32.5K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
32.5K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.9K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.9K
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
4.9K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
Somatic...
4.9K
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.4K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.4K
02:30Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
36.2K
Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
36.2K