Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing in cancer: molecular mechanisms and downstream targets.

Hao CHENG; Jun YU; Chi Chun WONG

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Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing in cancer: molecular mechanisms and downstream targets.

Author: Hao CHENG ¹ ; Jun YU ¹ ; Chi Chun WONG ¹
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1. Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR 518172, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: ADARs; ADATs; RNA modification; adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I); cancer
MeSH: Humans; Adenosine/genetics*; Inosine/genetics*; RNA Editing; Neoplasms/pathology*; Animals; MicroRNAs/metabolism*
From: Protein & Cell 2025;16(6):391-417
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I), one of the most prevalent RNA modifications, has recently garnered significant attention. The A-to-I modification actively contributes to biological and pathological processes by affecting the structure and function of various RNA molecules, including double-stranded RNA, transfer RNA, microRNA, and viral RNA. Increasing evidence suggests that A-to-I plays a crucial role in the development of human disease, particularly in cancer, and aberrant A-to-I levels are closely associated with tumorigenesis and progression through regulation of the expression of multiple oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Currently, the underlying molecular mechanisms of A-to-I modification in cancer are not comprehensively understood. Here, we review the latest advances regarding the A-to-I editing pathways implicated in cancer, describing their biological functions and their connections to the disease.