The role of YTH domain containing 2 in epigenetic modification and immune infiltration of pan-cancer

J Cell Mol Med. 2021 Sep;25(18):8615-8627. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.16818. Epub 2021 Jul 27.

Abstract

YTH domain containing 2 (YTHDC2) is the largest N6-Methyladenosine (m6 A) binding protein of the YTH protein family and the only member containing ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity. For further analysing its biological role in epigenetic modification, we comprehensively explored YTHDC2 from gene expression, genetic alteration, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, immune infiltration, diagnostic value and prognostic value in pan-cancer, using a series of databases and bioinformatic tools. We found that YTHDC2 with Missense mutation could cause a different prognosis in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), and its different methylation level could lead to a totally various prognosis in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and UCEC. The main molecular mechanisms of YTHDC2 focused on catalytic activity, helicase activity, snRNA binding, spliceosome and mRNA surveillance. Additionally, YTHDC2 was notably correlated with tumour immune infiltration. Moreover, YTHDC2 had a high diagnostic value for seven cancer types and a prognostic value for brain lower grade glioma (LGG), rectum adenocarcinoma (READ) and skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). Collectively, YTHDC2 plays a significant role in epigenetic modification and immune infiltration and maybe a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in certain cancers.

Keywords: YTHDC2; diagnosis; immune infiltration; m6A; prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • RNA Helicases / physiology*

Substances

  • N-methyladenosine
  • RNA Helicases
  • YTHDC2 protein, human
  • Adenosine