During metastasis, cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, circulate through the bloodstream, and establish themselves at distant sites, facing increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that act as significant barriers to metastatic progression. Adapting to and surviving in these high-ROS environments is thus crucial for successful metastasis. A recent study by Nease and colleagues identified FTSJ1 as the methyltransferase responsible for methylation of the U34 position wobble uridine modification of selenocysteine (Sec) tRNA. This methylation enables efficient Sec insertion, leading to increased translation of a subset of stress-responsive selenoproteins that combat the oxidative stress encountered during the metastatic process. This study establishes FTSJ1 as an essential redox regulator during metastasis through its role in enhancing Sec insertion efficiency, and introduces a potential therapeutic strategy against metastasis.

中文翻译：

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适应或灭亡：高效的硒代半胱氨酸插入对于癌细胞转移至关重要


在转移过程中，癌细胞从原发肿瘤中分离出来，在血流中循环，并在远处建立自己，面临活性氧 （ROS） 水平升高，这是转移进展的重要障碍。因此，适应这些高 ROS 环境并在其中生存对于成功转移至关重要。Nease 及其同事最近的一项研究确定 FTSJ1 是负责硒代半胱氨酸 （Sec） tRNA 的 U34 位置摆动尿苷修饰甲基化的甲基转移酶。这种甲基化使有效的 Sec 插入成为可能，从而增加应激反应性硒蛋白子集的翻译，从而对抗转移过程中遇到的氧化应激。本研究通过增强 Sec 插入效率的作用，将 FTSJ1 确立为转移过程中必不可少的氧化还原调节因子，并介绍了一种针对转移的潜在治疗策略。