Posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins is essential for increasing protein diversity and maintaining cellular homeostasis, but uncontrolled modification may lead to tumorigenesis. Arginine methylation is a tumorigenesis‑related PTM that affects protein function through protein‑protein and protein‑nucleic acid interactions. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) have vital roles in signalling pathways of tumour‑intrinsic and tumour‑extrinsic microenvironments. The present review summarizes the modifications and functions of PRMTs in histone methylation and nonhistone methylation, their roles in RNA splicing and DNA damage repair and the currently known functions in tumour metabolism and immunotherapy. In conclusion, this article reviews the latest research progress on the role of PRMTs in tumour signal transduction, providing a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Targeting PRMTs is expected to provide new directions for tumour therapy.
Keywords: arginine methyltransferase; epigenetic modification; immunotherapy; signalling pathway; tumour metabolism.