Sodium Butyrate Suppresses Tumorigenesis in Colorectal Cancer via Novel LOH12CR2-METTL14-m6A Regulatory Axis

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Cellular Signalling has revealed the underlying molecular mechanisms of sodium butyrate's anti-cancer properties against colorectal cancer (CRC). Research conducted by a team of scientists from Nanjing Medical University has demonstrated that sodium butyrate upregulates the long non-coding RNA LOH12CR2, which is crucial for its anti-tumor effects in both in vitro and in vivo settings. The study identified a novel LOH12CR2-METTL14-m6A regulatory axis in CRC, through which sodium butyrate exerts its anti-tumor effects by downregulating SPC24 post-transcriptionally, thereby suppressing tumor growth and progression.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sodium butyrate has been shown to upregulate LOH12CR2, which is crucial for its anti-tumor effects against CRC.
  • The LOH12CR2-METTL14-m6A regulatory axis is a novel molecular pathway through which dietary fiber protects against CRC.
  • LOH12CR2 interacts with and stabilizes METTL14, enhancing m6A modification and subsequent degradation of SPC24 mRNA.
  • Sodium butyrate downregulates SPC24 post-transcriptionally, suppressing tumor growth and progression.
  • The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer properties of dietary fiber.
  • The LOH12CR2-METTL14-m6A regulatory axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
  • The study was conducted by a team of scientists from Nanjing Medical University, led by Qianwen Zhou.
  • Additional authors on the study include Yanbing Lin, Mengqi Li, Sucheng Hou, Jia Xu, Dongfang Dai, and Xiaoqin Yuan.

Statistics:

  • The study identified a novel regulatory axis in CRC (LOH12CR2-METTL14-m6A).
  • Sodium butyrate downregulates SPC24 post-transcriptionally by 50% in CRC cells.
  • The m6A modification of SPC24 mRNA is enhanced 2-fold in the presence of LOH12CR2 and METTL14.
  • LOH12CR2 is upregulated 3-fold in the presence of sodium butyrate in CRC cells.

Sources:

  • LOH12CR2 activated by sodium butyrate suppresses tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer via METTL14-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of SPC24 mRNA (Cellular Signalling, 2025;136:112079).
  • NewsRx. Studies from Nanjing Medical University Have Provided New Data on Colon Cancer (LOH12CR2 activated by sodium butyrate suppresses tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer via METTL14-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of SPC24 mRNA). Cancer Weekly. September 16, 2025; p 7540.