The Mettl3 epitranscriptomic writer amplifies p53 stress responses

• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.010
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04T14:39:09Z
• Authors: Nitin Raj; Mengxiong Wang; Jose A. Seoane; Richard L. Zhao; Alyssa M. Kaiser; Nancie A. Moonie; Janos Demeter; Anthony M. Boutelle; Craig H. Kerr; Abigail S. Mulligan; Clare Moffatt; Shelya X. Zeng; Hua Lu; Maria Barna; Christina Curtis; Howard Y. Chang; Peter K. Jackson; Laura D. Attardi
• Keywords: Mice; Carcinogenesis; Animals; RNA; Methyltransferases; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Transcription Factors; 3. Good health

The p53 transcription factor drives anti-proliferative gene expression programs in response to diverse stressors, including DNA damage and oncogenic signaling. Here, we seek to uncover new mechanisms through which p53 regulates gene expression using tandem affinity purification/mass spectrometry to identify p53-interacting proteins. This approach identified METTL3, an m6A RNA-methyltransferase complex (MTC) constituent, as a p53 interactor. We find that METTL3 promotes p53 protein stabilization and target gene expression in response to DNA damage and oncogenic signals, by both catalytic activity-dependent and independent mechanisms. METTL3 also enhances p53 tumor suppressor activity in in vivo mouse cancer models and human cancer cells. Notably, METTL3 only promotes tumor suppression in the context of intact p53. Analysis of human cancer genome data further supports the notion that the MTC reinforces p53 function in human cancer. Together, these studies reveal a fundamental role for METTL3 in amplifying p53 signaling in response to cellular stress.