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The RNA m6A writer WTAP in diseases: structure, roles, and mechanisms

Qibo Huang1, Jie Mo1, Zhibin Liao2

  • 1Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P.R. China.

Cell Death & Disease
|October 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key epigenetic RNA modification. This study details the structure, function, and cancer mechanisms of Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), a crucial component of the m6A writer complex.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent eukaryotic mRNA modification involved in RNA metabolism and disease.
  • Aberrant m6A levels correlate with tumor occurrence and development.
  • The m6A writer complex, including METTL3, METTL14, and WTAP, catalyzes these modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of m6A modification.
  • To detail the structure, localization, and physiological functions of WTAP.
  • To describe the roles and mechanisms of WTAP in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on m6A modification and WTAP.
  • Analysis of WTAP's role within the m6A methyltransferase complex.
  • Exploration of WTAP's involvement in cancer pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • WTAP functions as a regulatory subunit, recruiting the m6A methyltransferase complex to target mRNAs.
  • WTAP is essential for the nuclear speckle localization of METTL3 and METTL14.
  • WTAP plays significant roles in various aspects of cancer biology.

Conclusions:

  • WTAP is a critical regulator of m6A modification with diverse physiological functions.
  • Understanding WTAP's mechanisms in cancer offers potential therapeutic targets.
  • Further research into WTAP's role in RNA epigenetics is warranted.

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