METTL3-dependent m6A RNA methylation suppresses aberrant mammary epithelial differentiation and neoplastic transformation.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms underlying sustained proliferation and aberrant cellular plasticity that drive early breast tumorigenesis remain unclear. Using CRISPR knockout (KO) screens, we systematically characterized the regulators of cellular fitness in the normal mammary epithelium. We found that loss of METTL3 stimulates mammary epithelial proliferation and reprograms gene expression in an m6A methyltransferase-dependent manner. Single-cell analysis in normal breast organoids revealed that METTL3 ablation causes disruption of the mammary cellular hierarchy through increased aberrant luminal differentiation. Mechanistically, METTL3 loss reduces RNA m6A modification of transcribed transposable elements leading to their increased expression and upregulation of interferon-STAT signaling. This inflammat

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12646209 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature