Scientists discover new therapeutic targets that are expected to treat a series of malignant and aggressive cancers

Today, the emerging "epitranscriptomics" research area is providing new insights into the biological and pathological effects of different RNA modifications; the RNA methyltransferase METTL1 can catalyze the N7-methylguanosine (m7G) of tRNAs Retouching

In the article, the researchers identified a special protein that may play a key role in transforming normal tissues into cancer tissues.

RNA modification proteins, especially the METTL family, are largely involved in cell replication.

When researchers conduct studies in the laboratory and in mouse models, knocking out genes to inhibit the production of the METL1 protein can block the growth of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

METTL1-mediated m7G modification of Arg-TCT tRNA may drive cancer transformation

Image source: Esteban A.

Because the level of METTL1 protein rises in cancer cells with poor prognosis, it can also be used as a biomarker to help formulate treatment plans and identify which patients can benefit from the treatment, so as to ensure that clinical trials as much as possible Simplify and personalize

The first author of the article, Esteban Orellana, said that the results of this article show that the targeted RNA-modifying protein—METTL1 may be used as an effective therapy to treat specific types of cancer, thereby helping to kill cancer cells, but it does not damage the body.

In summary, the results of this article show that the modification of tRNA mediated by METTL1 may increase the expression of nearby proteins by repeating the translation group of mRNA to determine the cancerous transformation of cells.

Original source:

Esteban A.