m(6)A-induced lncRNA RP11 triggers the dissemination of colorectal cancer cells via upregulation of Zeb1

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical players in cancer progression, but their functions in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis have not been systematically clarified. METHODS: lncRNA expression profiles in matched normal and CRC tissue were checked using microarray analysis. The biological roles of a novel lncRNA, namely RP11-138 J23.1 (RP11), in development of CRC were checked both in vitro and in vivo. Its association with clinical progression of CRC was further analyzed. RESULTS: RP11 was highly expressed in CRC tissues, and its expression increased with CRC stage in patients. RP11 positively regulated the migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CRC cells in vitro and enhanced liver metastasis in vivo. Post-translational upregulation of Zeb1, an EMT-related transcription factor, was essential for RP11-induced cell dissemination. Mechanistically, the RP11/hnRNPA2B1/mRNA complex accelerated the mRNA degradation of two E3 ligases, Siah1 and Fbxo45, and subsequently prevented the proteasomal degradation of Zeb1. m(6)A methylation was involved in the upregulation of RP11 by increasing its nuclear accumulation. Clinical analysis showed that m(6)A can regulate the expression of RP11, further, RP11 regulated Siah1-Fbxo45/Zeb1 was involved in the development of CRC. CONCLUSIONS: m(6)A-induced lncRNA RP11 can trigger the dissemination of CRC cells via post-translational upregulation of Zeb1. Considering the high and specific levels of RP11 in CRC tissues, our present study paves the way for further investigations of RP11 as a predictive biomarker or therapeutic target for CRC. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-019-1014-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.