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  • METTL4-mediated nuclear N6-...
    Hsu, Kai-Wen; Lai, Joseph Chieh-Yu; Chang, Jeng-Shou; Peng, Pei-Hua; Huang, Ching-Hui; Lee, Der-Yen; Tsai, Yu-Cheng; Chung, Chi-Jung; Chang, Han; Chang, Chao-Hsiang; Chen, Ji-Lin; Pang, See-Tong; Hao, Ziyang; Cui, Xiao-Long; He, Chuan; Wu, Kou-Juey

    Genome Biology, 12/2022, Volume: 23, Issue: 1
    Journal Article

    DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) is rarely present in mammalian cells and its nuclear role remains elusive. Here we show that hypoxia induces nuclear 6mA modification through a DNA methyltransferase, METTL4, in hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor metastasis. Co-expression of METTL4 and 6mA represents a prognosis marker for upper tract urothelial cancer patients. By RNA sequencing and 6mA chromatin immunoprecipitation-exonuclease digestion followed by sequencing, we identify lncRNA RP11-390F4.3 and one novel HIF-1α co-activator, ZMIZ1, that are co-regulated by hypoxia and METTL4. Other genes involved in hypoxia-mediated phenotypes are also regulated by 6mA modification. Quantitative chromatin isolation by RNA purification assay shows the occupancy of lncRNA RP11-390F4.3 on the promoters of multiple EMT regulators, indicating lncRNA-chromatin interaction. Knockdown of lncRNA RP11-390F4.3 abolishes METTL4-mediated tumor metastasis. We demonstrate that ZMIZ1 is an essential co-activator of HIF-1α. We show that hypoxia results in enriched 6mA levels in mammalian tumor cells through METTL4. This METTL4-mediated nuclear 6mA deposition induces tumor metastasis through activating multiple metastasis-inducing genes. METTL4 is characterized as a potential therapeutic target in hypoxic tumors.