Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry
08:45

Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 21, 2022

2.5K

Crosstalk among m6A RNA methylation, hypoxia and metabolic reprogramming in TME: from immunosuppressive

Fusheng Zhang1, Haiyang Liu1, Meiqi Duan1

  • 1Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.

Journal of Hematology & Oncology
|July 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation drives tumor progression by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). This RNA modification promotes hypoxia, metabolic issues, and immune suppression, supporting cancer growth and spread.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial in cancer development, characterized by hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and immunosuppression.
  • Epigenetic modifications, particularly RNA modifications like N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, play a significant role in TME regulation and tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the involvement of m6A methylation in the dynamic evolution of the tumor-adaptive TME.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms linking m6A methylation to changes in tumor cell biological functions and TME characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on m6A methylation's role in TME.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms by which m6A influences transcription, protein expression, and cellular processes within the TME.

Main Results:

  • m6A methylation regulates key TME features including hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and immune cell phenotypes.
  • These m6A-mediated adaptations create an immunosuppressive TME that fosters tumor proliferation and metastasis.
  • m6A impacts RNA processing, translation, and protein expression, contributing to tumor-adaptive changes.

Conclusions:

  • m6A methylation is a key driver of TME evolution towards a tumor-supportive state.
  • Targeting m6A methylation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, potentially enhancing immunotherapy efficacy.
  • Viewing the TME as an ecosystem highlights the interconnectedness of its components and the potential for novel therapeutic interventions.
Keywords:
ExosomesHypoxiaImmune escapeTumor biological functionsTumor combination therapyTumor metabolism

More Related Videos

Antibody-Free Assay for RNA Methyltransferase Activity Analysis08:31

Antibody-Free Assay for RNA Methyltransferase Activity Analysis

Published on: July 9, 2019

7.3K
Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV14:40

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

Published on: March 5, 2022

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K
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...
3.1K
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...
3.1K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.0K