WNT/β-catenin-suppressed FTO expression increases m6A of c-Myc mRNA to promote tumor cell glycolysis and tumorigenesis

FTO removes the N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification from genes and plays a critical role in cancer development. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of FTO and its subsequent impact on the regulation of the epitranscriptome remain to be further elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that FTO expression is downregulated and inversely correlated with poor survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Mechanistically, Wnt signaling induces the binding of EZH2 to beta-catenin. This protein complex binds to the LEF/TCF-binding elements at the promoter region of FTO, where EZH2 enhances H3K27me3 and inhibits FTO expression. Downregulated FTO expression substantially enhances the m(6)A levels in the mRNAs of a large number of genes in critical pathways, particularly metabolic pathway genes, such as MYC. Enhanced m(6)A levels on MYC mRNA recruit YTHDF1 binding, which promotes MYC mRNA translation and a subsequent increase in glycolysis and proliferation of tumor cells and tumorigenesis. Our findings uncovered a critical mechanism of epitranscriptome regulation by Wnt/beta-catenin-mediated FTO downregulation and underscored the role of m(6)A modifications of MYC mRNA in regulating tumor cell glycolysis and growth.

Automated summary

FTO plays a critical role in cancer development by removing m(6)A modifications from genes. Downregulation of FTO expression in lung adenocarcinoma patients is associated with poor survival. Mechanistically, Wnt signaling induces EZH2 binding to beta-catenin, inhibiting FTO expression and promoting m(6)A modifications on specific genes like MYC to enhance tumor cell glycolysis and growth.