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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

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The methyltransferase METTL16 in digestive system cancers: functions and mechanisms

Jia Li1,2, Yueyuan Bao1,2, Fei Yao3

  • 1Institute of Infection Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|February 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is crucial for RNA regulation. Methyltransferase-like 16 (METTL16) impacts cancer by controlling mRNA translation and stability, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in digestive cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA modification, influencing RNA processes.
  • Methyltransferase-like 16 (METTL16) is a newly identified m6A methyltransferase with a critical role in gene expression.
  • METTL16's methyltransferase domain is vital for its enzymatic function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of METTL16 in human digestive system cancers.
  • To summarize METTL16's oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions and their mechanisms.
  • To explore METTL16's potential as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of METTL16's functions in cancer.
  • Analysis of m6A-mediated and m6A-independent regulatory mechanisms.
  • Synthesis of evidence on METTL16's impact on cancer hallmarks.

Main Results:

  • METTL16 regulates target mRNA expression through m6A modification.
  • METTL16 influences cancer progression via cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.
  • METTL16 exhibits both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in digestive cancers.

Conclusions:

  • METTL16 plays a significant role in digestive system cancers.
  • Further research is needed to validate METTL16's functions and therapeutic potential.
  • METTL16 warrants investigation as a biomarker and therapeutic target for digestive cancers.
Keywords:
M6AMETTL16RNA modificationdigestive system cancersmethyltransferase

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