Characterization of m6A-related lncRNA signature in neuroblastoma

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) constitutes one of the most common modifications in mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, microRNA, and long-chain noncoding RNA. The influence of modifications of m6A on the stability of RNA depends upon the expression of methyltransferase (“writer”) and demethylase (“eraser”) and m6A binding protein (“reader”). In this study, we identified a set of m6A-related lncRNA expression profiles in neuroblastoma (NBL) based on the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) program. Thereupon, we identified two subgroups of neuroblastoma (high-risk group and low-risk group) by applying consensus clustering to m6A RNA methylation regulators (“Readers,”, “Writer,” and “Erase”). Relative to the low-risk group, the high-risk group correlates with a poorer prognosis. Moreover, the present study also revealed that the high-risk group proves to be significantly positively enriched in the tumor-related signaling pathways, including the P53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, and DNA repair. This finding indicates that these molecular prognostic markers may also be potentially valuable in early diagnosis, which provides a new research direction for the study of molecular mechanisms underlying the development of NBL. In conclusion, this study constructed a new model of NBL prognosis based on m6a-associated lncRNAs. Ultimately, this model is helpful for stratification of prognosis and development of treatment strategies.