The m5C methyltransferase NSUN2 promotes codon‐dependent oncogenic translation by stabilising tRNA in anaplastic thyroid cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Translation dysregulation plays a crucial role in tumourigenesis and cancer progression. Oncogenic translation relies on the stability and availability of tRNAs for protein synthesis, making them potential targets for cancer therapy. Methods This study performed immunohistochemistry analysis to assess NSUN2 levels in thyroid cancer. Furthermore, to elucidate the impact of NSUN2 on anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) malignancy, phenotypic assays were conducted. Drug inhibition and time‐dependent plots were employed to analyse drug resistance. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and bisulphite sequencing were used to investigate the m5C methylation of tRNA at both global and single‐base levels. Puromycin intake and high‐frequency codon reporter assays verified the protein translation level. By combining mRNA and ribosome profiling, a series of downstream proteins and codon usage bias were identified. The acquired data were further validated by tRNA sequencing. Results This study observed that the tRNA m5C methyltransferase NSUN2 was up‐regulated in ATC and is associated with dedifferentiation. Furthermore, NSUN2 knockdown repressed ATC formation, proliferation, invasion and migration both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, NSUN2 repression enhanced the sensitivity of ATC to genotoxic drugs. Mechanically, NSUN2 catalyses tRNA structure‐related m5C modification, stabilising tRNA that maintains homeostasis and rapidly transports amino acids, particularly leucine. This stable tRNA has a substantially increased efficiency necessary to support a pro‐cancer translation program including c‐Myc, BCL2, RAB31, JUNB and TRAF2. Additionally, the NSUN2‐mediated variations in m5C levels and different tRNA Leu iso‐decoder families, partially contribute to a codon‐dependent translation bias. Surprisingly, targeting NSUN2 disrupted the c‐Myc to NSUN2 cycle in ATC. Conclusions This research revealed that a pro‐tumour m5C methyltransferase, dynamic tRNA stability regulation and downstream oncogenes, c‐Myc, elicits a codon‐dependent oncogenic translation network that enhances ATC growth and formation. Furthermore, it provides new opportunities for targeting translation reprogramming in cancer cells.

Keywords

• anaplastic thyroid cancer
• c‐Myc
• codon
• drug‐resistance
• global translation
• leucine