Functions, mechanisms, and therapeutic implications of METTL14 in human cancer

RNA modification plays a crucial role in many biological functions, and its abnormal regulation is associated with the progression of cancer. Among them, N(6)-methyladenine (m(6)A) is the most abundant RNA modification. Methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) is the central component of the m(6)A methylated transferase complex, which is involved in the dynamic reversible process of m(6)A modification. METTL14 acts as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor gene to regulate the occurrence and development of various cancers. The abnormal m(6)A level induced by METTL14 is related to tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. To date, the molecular mechanism of METTL14 in various malignant tumors has not been fully studied. In this paper, we systematically summarize the latest research progress on METTL14 as a new biomarker for cancer diagnosis and its biological function in human tumors and discuss its potential clinical application. This study aims to provide new ideas for targeted therapy and improved prognoses in cancer.