YTHDF1 Promotes Gastric Carcinogenesis by Controlling Translation of

N-methyladenosine (mA) is the most prevalent internal RNA modification in mammals that regulates homeostasis and function of modified RNA transcripts. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of YTH mA RNA-binding protein 1 (YTHDF1), a key regulator of mA methylation in gastric cancer tumorigenesis. Multiple bioinformatic analyses of different human cancer databases identified key mA-associated genetic mutations that regulated gastric tumorigenesis. was mutated in about 7% of patients with gastric cancer, and high expression of YTHDF1 was associated with more aggressive tumor progression and poor overall survival. Inhibition of attenuated gastric cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis and . Mechanistically, YTHDF1 promoted the translation of a key Wnt receptor frizzled7 () in an mA-dependent manner, and mutated enhanced expression of FZD7, leading to hyperactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promotion of gastric carcinogenesis. Our results demonstrate the oncogenic role of and its mA-mediated regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in gastric cancer, providing a novel approach of targeting such epigenetic regulators in this disease. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides a rationale for controlling translation of key oncogenic drivers in cancer by manipulating epigenetic regulators, representing a novel and efficient strategy for anticancer treatment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/81/10/2651/F1.large.jpg.