m1A methylase TRMT6 promotes neuroblastoma development by demethylating SST mRNA in an m1A/YTHDF2-dependent manner

m1A, a prevalent RNA modification found in various RNA species, has recently been reported to modulate cancer progression. However, its effects on neuroblastoma remain uninvestigated.

The PCAT database was utilized to analyze the mRNA levels and survival probabilities of m1A regulator genes (TRMT6, TRMT61A, ALKBH1, and ALKBH3) in neuroblastoma patients. Silencing and recovery of TRMT6 were employed to investigate its role in neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo. m1A-seq and RIP-qPCR were performed to identify and confirm the downstream targets of TRMT6. Additionally, Actinomycin D treatment was administered to assess mRNA stability.

m1A transmethylase TRMT6 expression was significantly elevated in high-risk and late-stage neuroblastoma patients. Functionally, TRMT6 promotes the malignancy of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and promotes tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, TRMT6 reduces SST mRNA levels by inhibiting its stability in an m1A-YTHDF2-dependent manner, thereby promoting the development of neuroblastoma. Furthermore, SST analog octreotide suppresses neuroblastoma cell malignancy, tumor growth, and metastasis.

TRMT6 mediates m1A modification of SST to promote neuroblastoma progression, suggesting that targeting TRMT6 may be a novel potential therapeutic approach for treating neuroblastoma.