Role of WTAP in Cancer: From Mechanisms to the Therapeutic Potential

Wilms’ tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) is required for N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) RNA methylation modifications, which regulate biological processes such as RNA splicing, cell proliferation, cell cycle, and embryonic development. m(6)A is the predominant form of mRNA modification in eukaryotes. WTAP exerts m(6)A modification by binding to methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in the nucleus to form the METTL3-methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14)-WTAP (MMW) complex, a core component of the methyltransferase complex (MTC), and localizing to the nuclear patches. Studies have demonstrated that WTAP plays a critical role in various cancers, both dependent and independent of its role in m(6)A modification of methyltransferases. Here, we describe the recent findings on the structural features of WTAP, the mechanisms by which WTAP regulates the biological functions, and the molecular mechanisms of its functions in various cancers. By summarizing the latest WTAP research, we expect to provide new directions and insights for oncology research and discover new targets for cancer treatment.