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Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
Published on: May 10, 2018
IGF2BP3 promotes mRNA degradation through internal m7G modification
Chang Liu1,2,3, Xiaoyang Dou1,2, Yutao Zhao1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
Abstract:
Recent studies have suggested that mRNA internal m7G and its writer protein METTL1 are closely related to cell metabolism and cancer regulation. Here, we identify that IGF2BP family proteins IGF2BP1-3 can preferentially bind internal mRNA m7G. Such interactions, especially IGF2BP3 with m7G, could promote the degradation of m7G target transcripts in cancer cells. IGF2BP3 is more responsive to changes of m7G modification, while IGF2BP1 prefers m6A to stabilize the bound transcripts. We also demonstrate that p53 transcript, TP53, is m7G-modified at its 3'UTR in cancer cells. In glioblastoma, the methylation level and the half lifetime of the modified transcript could be modulated by tuning IGF2BP3, or by site-specific targeting of m7G through a dCas13b-guided system, resulting in modulation of cancer progression and chemosensitivity.
Insights
IGF2BP proteins bind internal mRNA m7G modifications, impacting cancer cell metabolism and progression. IGF2BP3 promotes degradation of m7G targets, influencing glioblastoma chemosensitivity and progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Internal mRNA m7G modification and METTL1 are linked to cell metabolism and cancer.
- IGF2BP family proteins are implicated in RNA regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of IGF2BP proteins with internal mRNA m7G.
- To determine the role of IGF2BP3 in cancer cell metabolism and glioblastoma progression.
Main Methods:
- RNA immunoprecipitation assays to detect IGF2BP binding to m7G modified RNA.
- Analysis of mRNA degradation rates and protein levels.
- CRISPR-Cas13b system for site-specific targeting of m7G modifications.
Main Results:
- IGF2BP1-3 proteins preferentially bind internal mRNA m7G.
- IGF2BP3 promotes degradation of m7G target transcripts, including TP53, in cancer cells.
- Modulating IGF2BP3 or m7G levels affects glioblastoma progression and chemosensitivity.
Conclusions:
- IGF2BP proteins, particularly IGF2BP3, play a significant role in regulating m7G modified transcripts in cancer.
- Targeting m7G modification or IGF2BP3 offers potential therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma.
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