Zenghui Li, Yuqing Feng, Hong Han, Xingyue Jiang, Weiyu Chen, Xuezhen Ma, Prof. Yang Mei, Prof. Dan Yuan, Prof. Dingxiao Zhang, Prof. Junfeng Shi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
METTL3, a primary methyltransferase catalyzing the RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, has been identified as an oncogene in several cancer types and thus nominated as a potentially effective target for therapeutic inhibition. However, current options using this strategy are limited. In this study, we targeted protein–protein interactions at the METTL3–METTL14 binding interface to inhibit complex formation and subsequent catalysis of the RNA m6A modification. Among candidate peptides, RM3 exhibited the highest anti-cancer potency, inhibiting METTL3 activity while also facilitating its proteasomal degradation. We then designed a stapled peptide inhibitor (RSM3) with enhanced peptide stability and formation of the α-helical secondary structure required for METTL3 interaction. Functional and transcriptomic analysis in vivo indicated that RSM3 induced upregulation of programmed cell death-related genes while inhibiting cancer-promoting signals. Furthermore, tumor growth was significantly suppressed while apoptosis was enhanced upon RSM3 treatment, accompanied by increased METTL3 degradation, and reduced global RNA methylation levels in two in vivo tumor models. This peptide inhibitor thus exploits a mechanism distinct from other small-molecule competitive inhibitors to inhibit oncogenic METTL3 activity. Our findings collectively highlight the potential of targeting METTL3 in cancer therapies through peptide-based inhibition of complex formation and proteolytic degradation.
期刊介绍:
Angewandte Chemie, a journal of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), maintains a leading position among scholarly journals in general chemistry with an impressive Impact Factor of 16.6 (2022 Journal Citation Reports, Clarivate, 2023). Published weekly in a reader-friendly format, it features new articles almost every day. Established in 1887, Angewandte Chemie is a prominent chemistry journal, offering a dynamic blend of Review-type articles, Highlights, Communications, and Research Articles on a weekly basis, making it unique in the field.