Abstract 3596: EMG1 is an rRNA-modifying protein that contributes to breast cancer progression

Abstract The ribosome, a multi-subunit RNA-protein complex, is essential for translation in all cells. Variation in ribosome composition and characteristics has been observed between cell types and under different metabolic conditions; this phenomenon is referred to as "ribosome heterogeneity." Ribosome heterogeneity has been linked to carcinogenesis and cancer progression. One of the major layers of ribosome heterogeneity is the diverse rRNA modifications. To study the impact of rRNA modifications on cancer, we performed a systematic literature search and identified 22 rRNA modifying proteins (RRMPs) that are involved in mediating different modifications of rRNA. We next examined the RRMPs' expression levels and frequency of mutation in different cancer types, with a focus on breast cancer. We see that most malignancies show alterations in RRMPs' expression levels and frequent mutations. Our analysis of gene expression patterns and clinical outcomes in breast cancer has shown that several RRPMs are strongly linked to an aggressive phenotype and a poor prognosis. Our analysis also revealed that EMG1, a N1-specific psuedouridine methyltransferase, is a RRMP with potential roles in cancer progression and metastasis. Our findings pave the way for further research into the role of RRMPs in different cancers as well as the development of therapies that specifically target RRMPs involved in cancer progression. Citation Format: Amr R. Elhamamsy, Heba A. Alsheikh, Rajeev S. Samant, Lalita A. Shevde. EMG1 is an rRNA-modifying protein that contributes to breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3596.