Identification and functional analysis of N6‐methyladenine (m(6)A)‐related lncRNA across 33 cancer types

BACKGROUND: N6‐methyladenosine (m(6)A) plays an essential role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are discovered to be important targets of m(6)A modification, and they play fundamental roles in diverse biological processes. However, there is still a lack of knowledge with regards to the association between m(6)A and lncRNAs in human tumors. METHODS: The relationship between lncRNAs and 21 m(6)A regulators was comprehensively explored, through the integration of multi‐omics data from M6A2Target, m6A‐Atlas, and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas). In order to explore the potential roles of m6A‐related lncRNAs in human tumors, three applicable methods were introduced, which include the construction of ceRNA networks, drug sensitivity estimation, and survival analysis. RESULTS: A substantial number of positive correlation events across 33 cancer types were found. Moreover, cancer‐specific lncRNAs were associated with tissue specificity, and cancer‐common lncRNAs were conserved in cancer‐related biological function. In particular, the m(6)A‐related lncRNA FGD5‐AS1 was found to be associated with cancer treatment, through its influence on cisplatin resistance in breast cancer patients. Finally, a user‐friendly interface Lnc2m6A, which is enriched with various browsing sections resource for the exhibition of relationships and putative biogenesis between lncRNAs and m(6)A modifications, is offered in http://hainmu‐biobigdata.com/Lnc2m6A. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the results from this paper will provide a valuable resource that guides both mechanistic and therapeutic roles of m(6)A‐related lncRNAs in human tumors.