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m 6 A demethylase ALKBH5 promotes proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma associated with poor prognosis
Author(s) -
Nagaki Yushi,
Motoyama Satoru,
Yamaguchi Tomokazu,
Hoshizaki Midori,
Sato Yusuke,
Sato Teruki,
Koizumi Yukio,
Wakita Akiyuki,
Kawakita Yuta,
Imai Kazuhiro,
Nanjo Hiroshi,
Watanabe Hiroyuki,
Imai Yumiko,
Minamiya Yoshihiro,
Kuba Keiji
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
genes to cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1365-2443
pISSN - 1356-9597
DOI - 10.1111/gtc.12792
Subject(s) - demethylase , gene knockdown , biology , cancer research , cell cycle , cell growth , cell , messenger rna , cell culture , gene , epigenetics , biochemistry , genetics
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most fatal types of malignant tumors worldwide. Epitranscriptome, such as N 6 ‐methyladenosine (m 6 A) of mRNA, is an abundant post‐transcriptional mRNA modification and has been recently implicated to play roles in several cancers, whereas the significance of m 6 A modifications is virtually unknown in ESCC. Analysis of tissue microarray of the tumors in 177 ESCC patients showed that higher expression of m 6 A demethylase ALKBH5 correlated with poor prognosis and that ALKBH5 was an independent prognostic factor of the survival of patients. There was no correlation between the other demethylase FTO and prognosis. siRNA knockdown of ALKBH5 but not FTO significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of human ESCC cells. ALKBH5 knockdown delayed progression of cell cycle and accumulated the cells to G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, expression of CDKN1A (p21) was significantly up‐regulated in ALKBH5‐depleted cells, and m 6 A modification and stability of CDKN1A mRNA were increased by ALKBH5 knockdown. Furthermore, depletion of ALKBH5 substantially suppressed tumor growth of ESCC cells subcutaneously transplanted in BALB/c nude mice. Collectively, we identify ALKBH5 as the first m 6 A demethylase that accelerates cell cycle progression and promotes cell proliferation of ESCC cells, which is associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients.