N-1-methyladenosine methylation in tRNA drives liver tumourigenesis by regulating cholesterol metabolism

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers and is characterized by high recurrence and heterogeneity, yet its mechanism is not well understood. Here we show that N-1-methyladenosine methylation (m(1)A) in tRNA is remarkably elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient tumour tissues. Moreover, m(1)A methylation signals are increased in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) and are negatively correlated with HCC patient survival. TRMT6 and TRMT61A, forming m(1)A methyltransferase complex, are highly expressed in advanced HCC tumours and are negatively correlated with HCC survival. TRMT6/TRMT61A-mediated m(1)A methylation is required for liver tumourigenesis. Mechanistically, TRMT6/TRMT61A elevates the m(1)A methylation in a subset of tRNA to increase PPAR delta translation, which in turn triggers cholesterol synthesis to activate Hedgehog signaling, eventually driving self-renewal of liver CSCs and tumourigenesis. Finally, we identify a potent inhibitor against TRMT6/TRMT61A complex that exerts effective therapeutic effect on liver cancer. Metabolic adaptation has been reported to promote cancer, yet the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Here, the authors show that m(1)A methylation in tRNA regulates cholesterol metabolism in liver cancer stem cells and m(1)A inhibition decreases tumourigenesis in preclinical models of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Automated summary

The study reveals elevated m(1)A methylation levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient tumour tissues and liver cancer stem cells, mediated by the TRMT6/TRMT61A complex. The inhibition of m(1)A methylation can decrease tumourigenesis.