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. 2025 Mar;83(1):1237-1248.
doi: 10.1007/s12013-024-01558-5. Epub 2024 Oct 3.

RBM15B Promotes Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation via PCNA m6A Modification

Huan Cheng  1 , Zeyu Chen  2 , Yong Wang  1 , Chengjian Ji  1 , Junqi Wang  2 , Ninghong Song  3
Affiliations

RBM15B Promotes Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation via PCNA m6A Modification

Huan Cheng et al. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequently occurring cancer in men, characterized by the abnormal proliferation of cells within the prostate gland. This study explores the role of RNA binding motif protein 15B (RBM15B) in PC. RBM15B expression levels in PC patients were predicted using the Starbase database. The expression of RBM15B and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in PC cells was detected. Following RBM15B knockdown, cell proliferation assays were conducted. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels in PC cells were quantified, and RNA immunoprecipitation was performed to analyze the binding of m6A and YTH N-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) on PCNA mRNA. The stability of PCNA mRNA was assessed after treatment with actinomycin D. An in vivo nude mouse xenograft model was created to validate the role of RBM15B. The findings revealed the upregulation of RBM15B in PC. RBM15B knockdown resulted in decreased proliferation, colony formation, and EdU-positive cells. Mechanical analysis showed that RBM15B facilitated m6A modification of PCNA mRNA, leading to increasing m6A methylation. YTHDF1 bound to these m6A sites on PCNA mRNA, thus stabilizing it. Furthermore, PCNA overexpression mitigated the effects of RBM15B knockdown on PC cell proliferation. In conclusion, RBM15B promotes PC cell proliferation by enhancing the stability of PCNA mRNA through YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification.

Keywords: Cell proliferation; PCNA; Prostate cancer; RBM15B; m6A.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with ethical standards. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

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