m6A modification of AC026356.1 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the IGF2BP1-IL11 axis

Abstract N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common RNA modification in eukaryotic RNAs. Although the important roles of m6A in RNA fate have been revealed, the potential contribution of m6A to RNA function in various diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is still unclear. In this study, we identified a novel m6A-modified RNA AC026356.1. We found that AC026356.1 was increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. High expression of AC026356.1 was correlated with poor survival of HCC patients. m6A modification level of AC026356.1 was also increased in HCC and more significantly correlated with poor survival of HCC patients. Functional assays showed that m6A-modified AC026356.1 promoted HCC cellular proliferation, migration, and liver metastasis. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that AC026356.1 activated IL11/STAT3 signaling. Mechanistic investigation showed that m6A-modified AC026356.1 bound to IGF2BP1. The interaction between m6A-modified AC026356.1 and IGF2BP1 promoted the binding of IL11 mRNA to IGF2BP1, leading to increased IL11 mRNA stability and IL11 secretion. Functional rescue assays showed that depletion of IL11 reversed the oncogenic roles of AC026356.1. These findings revealed the potential influences of m6A modification on RNA biological functions and suggested that targeting m6A modification may be a novel strategy for HCC treatment.