Publications by authors named "A Blomme"

The marking of DNA, histones, and RNA is central to gene expression regulation in development and disease. Recent evidence links N6-methyladenosine (mA), installed on RNA by the METTL3-METTL14 methyltransferase complex, to histone modifications, but the link between mA and DNA methylation remains scarcely explored. This study shows that METTL3-METTL14 recruits the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 to chromatin for gene-body methylation.

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Lung metastases occur in up to 54% of patients with metastatic tumours. Contributing factors to this high frequency include the physical properties of the pulmonary system and a less oxidative environment that may favour the survival of cancer cells. Moreover, secreted factors from primary tumours alter immune cells and the extracellular matrix of the lung, creating a permissive pre-metastatic environment primed for the arriving cancer cells.

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The current targeted therapy for BRAF-mutant lung cancer consists of a dual blockade of RAF/MEK kinases often combining dabrafenib/trametinib (D/T). This regimen extends survival when compared to single-agent treatments, but disease progression is unavoidable. By using whole-genome CRISPR screening and RNA sequencing, we characterize the vulnerabilities of both persister and D/T-resistant cellular models.

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Article Synopsis
  • Transfer RNA (tRNA) dynamics play a significant role in cancer by influencing how messenger RNA (mRNA) translates into proteins, specifically through aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can either encourage or inhibit tumor growth.
  • Research indicates that valine aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (VARS) is crucial for the changes in protein translation related to resistance against MAPK therapy in melanoma patients, as there is an increased use of valine in their proteomes.
  • Additionally, reducing VARS levels can make MAPK-resistant melanoma cells more sensitive to treatment, as VARS is linked to the translation of key mRNAs that support cell survival via fatty acid oxidation.
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