METTL16 promotes liver cancer stem cell self-renewal via controlling ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation, progression, recurrence, and treatment resistance, the mechanism underlying liver CSC self-renewal remains elusive. We aim to characterize the role of Methyltransferase 16 (METTL16), a recently identified RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) methyltransferase, in HCC development/maintenance, CSC stemness, as well as normal hepatogenesis.

Methods

Liver-specific Mettl16 conditional KO (cKO) mice were generated to assess its role in HCC pathogenesis and normal hepatogenesis. Hydrodynamic tail-vein injection (HDTVi)-induced de novo hepatocarcinogenesis and xenograft models were utilized to determine the role of METTL16 in HCC initiation and progression.

SUBMITTER: Xue M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10835888 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature