Work

CDK13 drives clear cell renal carcinoma through METTL16-mediated m6A modification of ACLY mRNA

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cyclin-dependent kinase 13 (CDK13) has emerged as a critical regulator of oncogenic metabolism, but its role in rewiring lipid metabolism in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains undefined. Here we identify CDK13 as a master orchestrator of lipid dysregulation in ccRCC, demonstrating that it drives de novo lipogenesis through a phosphorylation-dependent RNA N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification axis. Clinically, CDK13 overexpression correlates with advanced tumor stage, poor prognosis and aberrant lipid accumulation in patient-derived ccRCC tissues. Mechanistically, CDK13 directly phosphorylates the methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16) at Ser329, augmenting its catalytic activity to install m 6 A modifications on ATP-citrate synthase (ACLY) messenger RNA. These m 6 A marks are selectively recognized by the YTHDC2 reader protein, leading to mRNA stabilization and increased acetyl-CoA production, which fuels lipogenesis and sustains ccRCC aggressiveness. Genetic or pharmacological disruption of the CDK13–METTL16–ACLY axis synergistically suppresses lipid deposition, tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Notably, targeting CDK13 with the small-molecule inhibitor 1NM-PP1 potentiates METTL16 depletion-mediated anticancer effects. Our findings establish a kinase-RNA modifier axis that links CDK13 to epitranscriptomic control of lipid metabolism, positioning the CDK13–METTL16–ACLY pathway as a promising target for precision therapies against ccRCC.

Source: Experimental & Molecular Medicine

DOI: 10.1038/s12276-025-01634-7