Background/Objectives: Melanoma, characterized by high rates of metastasis and recurrence, is a particularly aggressive malignant tumor. The underlying mechanisms driving its progression remain enigmatic. The close interplay between tumor and non-tumor cells is pivotal, significantly shaping the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicles emerge as a crucial vector influencing this environment, as they can modulate cellular mechanisms and biological functions-marking a key frontier in tumor mechanism research. However, the potential impact of intercellular communication on tumor cell biology remains largely unexplored. Methods: In the study, we employed a pair of cell lines derived from melanoma M14 cells, designated as highly metastatic cells (POL cells) and the low metastatic cells (OL cells), and elucidate their characteristics. Results: Our findings revealed that POL cells can potentiate the metastatic potential of OL cells through the transfer of extracellular vesicles, which harbor functional microRNAs, specifically miR-23a-5p in this context. Upon entering OL cells, the EV-miR-23a-5p orchestrates changes in the m6A modification levels of the mRNA of tumor suppressor genes Mtus1 and Prrg4. Conclusions: This modulation subsequently influences the expression of these genes and, in turn, the invasive behavior of OL cells.
Keywords: Mtus1; Prrg4; extracellular vesicle; m6A; melanoma; metastatic microenvironment; miRNA.