Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:40
Dot Blot Assay for Detecting Global N6-Methyladenosine RNA Modification Levels
Published on: February 6, 2026
Epitranscriptomic Regulation of ALDOA by SHMT2-Mediated m6A Modification Drives Gastric Cancer Malignancy
Peng Li1, Chengyun Niu2, Dongni Zhao3
1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
Molecular Carcinogenesis
|August 1, 2026
Summary
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) promotes gastric cancer (GC) progression by increasing fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase A (ALDOA) expression. This occurs via m6A RNA modification and IGF2BP1 stabilization, highlighting the SHMT2-ALDOA axis as a potential GC therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gastric cancer (GC) is a major global health concern with limited treatment options.
- Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase A (ALDOA) are implicated in tumor progression, but their mechanistic link in GC is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SHMT2 in regulating ALDOA expression through m6A RNA modification in gastric cancer.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which SHMT2 drives GC malignancy.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analyses (TCGA, LinkedOmics, SRAMP) for SHMT2 expression and correlation.
- In vitro assays (CCK-8, EdU, Transwell, wound healing) to assess GC cell behavior.
- MeRIP-PCR, dual-luciferase, and actinomycin D assays for m6A modification and RNA stability.
- Xenograft models for in vivo validation.
Main Results:
- SHMT2 is upregulated in GC, correlating with advanced stages and poor prognosis.
- SHMT2 knockdown inhibits GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis.
- SHMT2 promotes ALDOA m6A modification and mRNA stabilization via IGF2BP1, enhancing GC progression.
- ALDOA overexpression rescues the tumor-suppressive effects of SHMT2 knockdown.
Conclusions:
- SHMT2 drives gastric cancer progression by upregulating ALDOA via m6A modification and IGF2BP1-mediated mRNA stabilization.
- The SHMT2-ALDOA axis represents a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:23RNA Editing
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...