5-methylcytosine profile of mRNA in breast cancer brain metastasis

Abstract Background: 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification is involved in various physiological process of diseases. Great amount of research has been conducted to reveal the m5C profile, while the m5C profile of mRNA in breast cancer brain metastasis is unknown. Materials & methods: We performed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) to identify the m5C profile of mRNA in breast cancer brain metastasis cells (231-BR cells). Results: mRNA m5C profiles showed difference in peak numbers, length and modification level between 231-BR cells and its parental nonspecific metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. Compared with the control cells, we gained 1048 higher and 1866 lower methylation peaks in 231-BR cells. The most significant differentially methylated genes in m5C level included NSCN7, YBX3, SHANK1, MMP9, and LCN2. In addition, through GO and KEGG analysis, differently m5C methylated genes were chiefly engaged in the pathways of cancer cell focal adhesion, basal carcinoma, and endocytosis. Finally, the conjoint analysis of mRNA expression and RNA m5C modification was performed and that there are 346 genes showed coefficient changes. Conclusion: This study may comply a novel vision as a basis for subsequent mechanism research of breast cancer brain metastasis.