YTHDF3 Induces the Translation of m6A-enriched Metastasis-associated Gene Transcripts to Promote Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis [m6A-seq]

Brain metastasis is a major cause of cancer mortality, but its molecular mechanisms are severely understudied. We found that YTHDF3 overexpression clinically correlates with brain metastases in breast cancer patients and is required for brain metastasis. Silencing YTHDF3 suppressed the brain metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Integrated transcriptome and m6A-seq analysis revealed alter expression of selected YTHDF3 target genes, including ST6GALNAC5, GJA1, and EGFR by promoting m6A-dependent translation of these target transcripts. Our work uncovers an essential role of YTHDF3 in controlling the interaction between cancer cells and brain microenvironment, thereby gaining brain metastatic competence. Overall design: Overall design: m6A-seq of mRNA from MDA-MB-231Br cells