Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Efficient Purification and LC-MS/MS-based Assay Development for Ten-Eleven Translocation-2 5-Methylcytosine Dioxygenase
10:33

Efficient Purification and LC-MS/MS-based Assay Development for Ten-Eleven Translocation-2 5-Methylcytosine Dioxygenase

Published on: October 15, 2018

8.3K

Oncogenic and Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the RNA Demethylase FTO

Hidde R Zuidhof1, Cornelis F Calkhoven1

  • 1European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Cancer Research
|March 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) demethylase plays a dual role in cancer, acting as both a tumor promoter and suppressor. Understanding FTO

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The epitranscriptome involves over 140 reversible RNA modifications.
  • N6-methyladenosine and N6,2 omino-O-dimethyladenosine are key mRNA modifications.
  • RNA methyltransferases, demethylases, and binding proteins regulate RNA fate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discovery and enzymatic function of the FTO demethylase.
  • To explore the dual role of FTO in cancer development.
  • To discuss FTO as a potential therapeutic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on FTO gene, its discovery, and enzymatic function.
  • Analysis of studies investigating FTO's role in various cancer types.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on FTO's impact on RNA metabolism and cancer.

Main Results:

  • FTO was initially linked to obesity before its demethylase function was clarified.
  • FTO exhibits context-dependent tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive roles.
  • FTO's genome-wide effects on RNA turnover and translation complicate its study.

Conclusions:

  • FTO's role in cancer is recently revealed and complex.
  • FTO's dual function presents challenges and opportunities for cancer therapy.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate FTO's mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

More Related Videos

Desthiobiotin-Streptavidin-Affinity Mediated Purification of RNA-Interacting Proteins in Mesothelioma Cells11:11

Desthiobiotin-Streptavidin-Affinity Mediated Purification of RNA-Interacting Proteins in Mesothelioma Cells

Published on: April 25, 2018

8.3K
Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

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
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.2K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
5.2K
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
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.3K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

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...
3.2K