Li, Lulu (L);Zhang, Rong (R);Li, Yongsheng (Y);

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BMC Cancer.2025 Feb 20;25(1):305.doi:10.1186/s12885-025-13532-2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor. N-Methyladenosine (mA) modification plays an important role in the regulation of glycolysis in tumor cells and may be a potential target for tumor therapy.

METHODS: The role of METTL14, an mA writer, in CRC was investigated through functional assays including cell viability, colony formation, and glycolysis-related measurements (glucose uptake, lactate production, extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR)). The target gene regulated by METTL14 in an mA-dependent manner was identified using molecular biology techniques. In addition, CRC cells overexpressing METTL14 were subcutaneously injected into mice to verify the regulatory effect of METTL14 on tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS: Our data suggested that METTL14 was up-regulated in CRC cell lines, and over-expression of METTL14 suppressed cell proliferation and glycolysis. Meanwhile, ATF2 mA level was significantly up-regulated by over-expression of METTL14, and the binding relationship between ATF2 and METTL14 was further verified. METTL14-mA regulated ATF2 in CRC cells participates in the regulation of glycolysis. METTL14 also suppressed tumorigenesis of nude mice.

CONCLUSION: Intervention with METTL14 mediated mA modifications or its associated protein ATF2 may provide new strategies for CRC therapy.