Targeted RNA N6-Methyladenosine Demethylation inhibits cell migration in colorectal cancer cells [RNA-seq]

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as a new layer of epigenetic RNA modification is closely linked to various mechanisms of tumor metastasis, offering new avenues for targeted therapies. However, the role of m6A-mediated mechanisms underlying colorectal liver metastasis is still unclear.

In this study, we identified a novel m6A-modified transcriptional factor BTB/POZ domain protein ZBTB7A (zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A) using integrative m6A-sequencing (MeRIP-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses, and investigated the functional significance and underlying mechanisms of ZBTB7A as a promoting factor in liver metastasis of CRC. Mechanically, ZBTB7A could be positively regulated by m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and promote the process of CRLM through ARHGAP26-mediated Rho GTPases signaling pathway in a m6A-dependent manner.