ALKBH5 promotes malignant proliferation of renal clear cell carcinoma by activating the MAPK pathway through binding to HNRNPDL

Int Immunopharmacol. 2025 Jan 3:145:113776. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113776. Epub 2024 Dec 9.

Abstract

It is well established that ALKBH5 plays a crucial role in the malignant progression of various types of tumors. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we employed a range of techniques, including protein blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, silver staining, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), GST-pull down, and immunofluorescence, to investigate the functions of ALKBH5 in ccRCC and elucidate the specific mechanisms involved. Our results demonstrated that ALKBH5 expression was significantly upregulated in ccRCC. In vitro experiments revealed that ALKBH5 promoted tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and stemness. In vivo, ALKBH5 was shown to enhance tumor growth and lung metastasis. Mechanistically, our studies suggest that ALKBH5 accelerates the malignant progression of ccRCC by binding to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D-like (HNRNPDL), facilitating the nuclear translocation of MEK, ERK, and p38, and activating downstream targets such as c-Myc and PCNA.

Keywords: AlkB homologue H5; Clear cell renal cell carcinoma; Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D-like; Mitogen-activatedproteinkinase; Progression.

MeSH terms

  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase* / genetics
  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase
  • ALKBH5 protein, human