ALKBH5-Mediated m6A Modification of XBP1 Facilitates NSCLC Progression Through the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 Pathway

Mol Carcinog. 2025 Jan;64(1):57-71. doi: 10.1002/mc.23826. Epub 2024 Oct 10.

Abstract

The X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) is an important transcription factor during endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which was reported as an oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis and development. However, the regulatory mechanism of XBP1 expression in NSCLC progression was less reported. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is an emerging epigenetic regulatory mechanism for gene expression. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of the m6A modification in XBP1 expression in NSCLC. We identified XBP1 as a downstream target of ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification in A549 and PC9 cells. Knockdown of ALKBH5 increased the m6A modification and the stability of XBP1 mRNA, while overexpression of ALKBH5 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, IGF2BP3 was confirmed to be a reader of XBP1 m6A methylation and to enhance the stability of XBP1 mRNA. Additionally, IGF2BP3 knockdown significantly reversed the increase in XBP1 stability mediated by ALKBH5 depletion. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that ALKBH5/IGF2BP3 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells by upregulating XBP1 expression. In addition, we also showed that XBP1 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signaling. Our research suggested that ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification of XBP1 facilitates NSCLC progression through the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway.

Keywords: ALKBH5; IGF2BP3; N6‐methyladenosine (m6A); XBP1; non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase* / genetics
  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Disease Progression*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6* / genetics
  • Interleukin-6* / metabolism
  • Janus Kinases / genetics
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor* / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1* / genetics
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1* / metabolism

Substances

  • X-Box Binding Protein 1
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase
  • XBP1 protein, human
  • ALKBH5 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Adenosine
  • Janus Kinases
  • N-methyladenosine
  • IL6 protein, human