Reduced m6A RNA editing enzyme ALKBH5 may help esophageal squamous cell cancer grow

Reduced expression of ALKBH5 is associated with advanced stages of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

• Lower levels of ALKBH5 were observed in ESCC tissues, particularly in more advanced clinical stages and higher histological grades.
• Increasing ALKBH5 levels inhibited the growth of ESCC cells, while reducing ALKBH5 levels increased their proliferation.
• ALKBH5 overexpression led to decreased tumor growth in mouse models, whereas its depletion resulted in accelerated tumor growth.
• The anti-proliferative effects of ALKBH5 may involve a halt in the cell cycle at the G1 phase.
• ALKBH5 overexpression also diminished the ability of ESCC cells to migrate and invade.

Simplified