A methyltransferase-like 14/miR-99a-5p/tribble 2 positive feedback circuit promotes cancer stem cell persistence and radioresistance via histone deacetylase 2-mediated epigenetic modulation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant tumor. The biological implications and molecular mechanism of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in ESCC, which contribute to therapeutic resistance such as radioresistance, remain elusive. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization assays were used to detect methyltransferase-like 14 miR-99a-5p tribble 2 (METTL14/miR-99a-5p/TRIB2) expression in ESCC. The biological functions of METTL14/miR-99a-5p/TRIB2 were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrum analysis was used to identify the downstream proteins regulated by TRIB2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP), IP, N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A)-RNA IP, luciferase reporter, and ubiquitination assays were employed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this feedback circuit and its downstream pathways. Results We found that miR-99a-5p was significantly decreased in ESCC. miR-99a-5p inhibited CSCs persistence and the radioresistance of ESCC cells, and miR-99a-5p downregulation predicted an unfavorable prognosis of ESCC patients. Mechanically, we unveiled a METTL14-miR-99a-5p-TRIB2 positive feedback loop that enhances CSC properties and radioresistance of ESCC cells. METTL14, an m6 A RNA methyltransferase downregulated in ESCC, suppresses TRIB2 expression via miR-99a-5p-mediated degradation of TRIB2 mRNA by targeting its 3' untranslated region, whereas TRIB2 induces ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation of METTL14 in a COP1-dependent manner. METTL14 upregulates miR-99a-5p by modulating m6 A-mediated, DiGeorge critical region 8-dependent pri-mir-99a processing. Hyperactivation of TRIB2 resulting from this positive circuit was closely correlated with radioresistance and CSC characteristics. Furthermore, TRIB2 activates HDAC2 and subsequently induces p21 epigenetic repression through Akt/mTOR/S6K1 signaling pathway activation. Pharmacologic inhibition of HDAC2 effectively attenuates the TRIB2-mediated effect both in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft models. Conclusion Our data highlight the presence of the METTL14/miR-99a-5p/TRIB2 axis and show that it is positively associated with CSC characteristics and radioresistance of ESCC, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for ESCC treatment.