Transcriptome-wide profiling identifies colon cancer-associated m6A transcripts and potential RNA methyl modifiers.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research
• Epigenetics

Background:

• N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a critical RNA modification involved in biological and pathological processes.
• Dysregulated m6A is linked to various cancers, including colon cancer, affecting gene expression.
• Understanding m6A's role in post-transcriptional regulation is crucial for colon cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distribution of m6A modification in colon cancer.
• To correlate m6A patterns with gene expression in colon cancer.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of m6A in colon cancer progression.

Main Methods:

• Methylated RNA Immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) sequencing was employed for epitranscriptome profiling.
• Quantification of m6A levels and correlation with m6A modifier expression (writers, readers, erasers).
• Differential methylation analysis, gene set enrichment, and motif analysis were performed.

Main Results:

• Global m6A levels in colon cancer correlate with METTL14, YTHDF2, and YTHDC1.
• 7312 differential m6A regions were identified.
• m6A modifications are primarily located in the last exonic and 3' untranslated regions of mRNAs and on non-coding RNAs.

Conclusions:

• m6A is enriched in the 3' UTRs and terminal exons of colon cancer mRNAs.
• METTL14, YTHDF2, and YTHDC1 are significant m6A modifiers in colon cancer.
• m6A plays a crucial role in mRNA splicing and translation control in colon cancer.