Over-expression of YTHDC2 Contributes to Progression of Prostate Cancer and Predicts Poor Outcome in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Abstract Objective: YTHDC2, a member of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) readers, has been reported to be closely associated with multiple cancer types. However, very little is known about YTHDC2 gene and its involvement in prostate cancer. Methods: YTHDC2 protein expression level was analyzed and correlated to clinical outcomes in prostate cancer patients who underwent prostatectomy in Guizhou Provinicial People’s Hospital. YTHDC2 expression level was also detected in prostate cancer cell lines and an immortalized prostate epithelial cell line BPH-1 and RWPE1 by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we established stable cell lines (DU145 and PC-3) transfected with either empty vector or the full-length YTHDC2 gene and conducted cell function assays in vitro. Fisher’s exact test and Pearson χ2 test was employed, Kaplan-Meier method was used for the survival analysis.Result: Of 32 patient samples who enrolled in this study, YTHDC2 was significantly upregulated in PCa patients with higher Gleason score and Serum PSA level. YTHDC2 expression was significantly elevated in all PCa cell lines compared to BPH-1 and RWPE1 (all P<0.05). Functionally, the enforced expression of YTHDC2 markedly promoted cell growth, migration and invasion efficacies in prostate cancer cells.Conclusion: Our data indicate that YTHDC2 upregulation may be potentially associated with prognosis of prostate cancer patients. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.