YTHDF2 promotes multiple myeloma cell proliferation via STAT5A/MAP2K2/p-ERK axis

Zhen Hua1,2, Rongfang Wei2, Mengjie Guo1,2

  • 1Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Oncogene
|January 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies YTHDF2 as a key driver in multiple myeloma (MM) progression. Targeting YTHDF2 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for this incurable cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable due to a lack of effective therapeutic targets.
  • Aberrant N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is implicated in various cancers, but its role in MM is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of m6A-related genes in multiple myeloma.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for MM by analyzing m6A gene expression and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of m6A-related genes in MM patient cohorts.
  • Analysis of YTHDF2 expression and its correlation with patient outcomes.
  • In vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the impact of YTHDF2 on MM cell proliferation.
  • m6A-RIP-seq, RIP-PCR, ChIP-seq, and PCR assays to elucidate downstream targets and molecular mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • YTHDF2 expression is elevated in MM patients and associated with poor prognosis.
  • Reduced YTHDF2 expression inhibits MM cell proliferation, while increased expression promotes it.
  • YTHDF2 targets STAT5A mRNA for degradation, and STAT5A suppresses MM proliferation by inhibiting the MAP2K2/ERK pathway.

Conclusions:

  • The YTHDF2/STAT5A/MAP2K2/p-ERK axis is crucial for MM cell proliferation.
  • Targeting YTHDF2 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for multiple myeloma.

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.9K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

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...
4.7K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.1K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
7.9K
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK 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...
6.4K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens 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...
7.0K