ALKBH8 and cancer: To functionally link hTRM9L expression to tumourigenicity, we used a gain of function strategy where SW620 and HCT116 cells were engineered to over-express hTRM9L. Because the tRNA methyltransferase activity of Trm9 is conserved from yeast to mammals, we also engineered SW620 cells with the yeast TRM9 gene (yTrm9) and with mouse Alkbh8. Both the cancer cells and the respective controls expressing LacZ were tested for tumourigenic capacity in the CAM (SW620) or nude mice (SW620 and HCT116) systems.