m <sup>1</sup> A‐Dependent TRMT6/61A‐ARG2 Axis Drives Protumorigenic Senescence by Remodeling the Tumor Microenvironment
Cellular senescence, a fundamental hallmark of aging, plays a paradoxical, often pro-tumorigenic role in cancer. This malignancy is largely driven by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), yet the mechanisms that govern the production of a pro-tumorigenic SASP remain poorly understood. This study uncovers an epitranscriptomic axis in colorectal cancer (CRC) where the TRMT6/TRMT61A tRNA N<sup>1</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>1</sup>A) methyltransferase complex is aberrantly elevated, driving a senescent state in malignant cells. Mechanistically, TRMT6/61A-dependent m<sup>1</sup>A deposition on specific tRNAs enhances the translational efficiency of their cognate codons. This codon-biased translational control selectively boosts the synthesis of ARG2. Accumulation of ARG2 subsequently activates mTOR and NF-κB signaling and thereby establishes a robust SASP, which actively reprograms the tumor microenvironment by promoting the growth and invasiveness of neighboring cancer cells, activating cancer-associated fibroblasts, and polarizing immunosuppressive M2 macrophages. Collectively, these findings define the TRMT6/61A-ARG2 pathway as a driver for pro-tumorigenic senescence in an m<sup>1</sup>A-dependent manner, revealing a new layer of translational control in aging-associated pathology and offering a compelling rationale for developing senomorphic therapies.
Authors
- Yingguo Gan
- Xiaoxia LIU
- Yumo Xie
- Jun Huang
- Rongzhao He
- Zixiao Wan
- Jun Weng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0792-1526)
- Yanxin Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1967-127X)
- Huichuan Yu
- Jinxin Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2089-7084)
- Yuanhui Wu
- Mingzhe Huang
- Jinlin Cai
- Xiaolin Wang
- Yaokang Xing
- Xuan Li
- Tuoyang Li
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2026-01-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202518536
- Primary Topic
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
- Project 211
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities