METTL3 regulates WTAP protein homeostasis

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Jul 23;9(8):796. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0843-z.

Abstract

The Wilms tumor 1 (WT1)-associated protein (WTAP) is upregulated in many tumors, including, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where it plays an oncogenic role by interacting with different proteins involved in RNA processing and cell proliferation. In addition, WTAP is also a regulator of the nuclear complex required for the deposition of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) into mRNAs, containing the METTL3 methyltransferase. However, it is not clear if WTAP may have m6A-independent regulatory functions that might contribute to its oncogenic role. Here, we show that both knockdown and overexpression of METTL3 protein results in WTAP protein upregulation, indicating that METTL3 levels are critical for WTAP protein homeostasis. However, we show that WTAP upregulation is not sufficient to promote cell proliferation in the absence of a functional METTL3. Therein, these data indicate that the reported oncogenic function of WTAP is strictly connected to a functional m6A methylation complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Methyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proteostasis
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • WTAP protein, human
  • METTL14 protein, human
  • Methyltransferases
  • METTL3 protein, human