m6A modification suppresses ocular melanoma through modulating HINT2 mRNA translation

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundDynamic N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification generated and erased by N6-methyltransferases and demethylases regulates gene expression, alternative splicing and cell fate. Ocular melanoma, comprising uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma (CM), is the most common primary eye tumor in adults and the 2nd most common melanoma. However, the functional role of m6A modification in ocular melanoma remains unclear.Methodsm6A assays and survival analysis were used to explore decreased global m6A levels, indicating a late stage of ocular melanoma and a poor prognosis. Multiomic analysis of miCLIP-seq, RNA-seq and Label-free MS data revealed that m6A RNA modification posttranscriptionally promoted HINT2 expression. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-qPCR and dual luciferase assays revealed thatHINT2mRNA specifically interacted with YTHDF1. Furthermore, polysome profiling analysis indicated a greater amount ofHINT2mRNA in the translation pool in ocular melanoma cells with higher m6A methylation.ResultsHere, we show that RNA methylation significantly inhibits the progression of UM and CM. Ocular melanoma samples showed decreased m6A levels, indicating a poor prognosis. Changes in global m6A modification were highly associated with tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, YTHDF1 promoted the translation of methylatedHINT2mRNA, a tumor suppressor in ocular melanoma.ConclusionsOur work uncovers a critical function for m6A methylation in ocular melanoma and provides additional insight into the understanding of m6A modification.