Mining for METTL3 inhibitors to suppress cancer

The RNA methyltransferase METTL3 catalyzes N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). It is overexpressed in many types of cancer, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and promotes cancer cell growth and tumorigenicity. Now, a selective small molecule inhibitor of METTL3 shows significant antileukemic effects in preclinical AML models, highlighting the promise of pharmacological METTL3 inhibition as a new cancer therapy.

Automated summary

The RNA methyltransferase METTL3 plays a crucial role in cancer development and progression, particularly in AML. A selective small molecule inhibitor of METTL3 has shown promising antileukemic effects in preclinical models, suggesting a potential new cancer therapy targeting METTL3.