IGF2BP2: an m6A reader that affects cellular function and disease progression

• Published in: Cellular & molecular biology letters Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 43 - 32
• Main Authors: Liu, Siyi, Liao, Shan, He, Junyu, Zhou, Yanhong, He, Qian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wrocław BioMed Central 09.04.2025; BMC
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Binding sites; Cell stemness; Cells; Colon; Disease; Epithelial–mesenchymal transition; Esophageal cancer; Ferroptosis; Genes; Hypoxia; IGF2BP2; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Lipid metabolism; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Metabolism; Metastasis; Molecular modelling; mRNA stability; N6-methyladenosine; Proteins; Review; RNA modification; Squamous cell carcinoma; Transcription factors; Tumors
• ISSN: 1689-1392; 1425-8153; 1689-1392
• DOI: 10.1186/s11658-025-00723-9

Insulin-like growth factor 2 messenger RNA (mRNA)-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is a widely studied N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification reader, primarily functioning to recognize and bind to m 6 A modification sites on the mRNA of downstream target genes, thereby enhancing their stability. Previous studies have suggested that the IGF2BP2-m 6 A modification plays an essential role in cellular functions and the progression of various diseases. In this review, we focus on summarizing the molecular mechanisms by which IGF2BP2 enhances the mRNA stability of downstream target genes through m 6 A modification, thereby regulating cell ferroptosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism, ultimately affecting disease progression. Additionally, we update the related research progress on IGF2BP2. This article aims to elucidate the effects of IGF2BP2 on cell ferroptosis, EMT, stemness, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism, providing a new perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between IGF2BP2 and cell functions such as ferroptosis and EMT, as well as the potential for targeted IGF2BP2 therapy for tumors and other diseases.