Comprehensive analysis of RNA m6A methylation in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy

BMC Genomics. 2022 Aug 11;23(1):576. doi: 10.1186/s12864-022-08833-w.

Abstract

Aim: To analyze and compare the mRNA N6-methyladenosine modifications in transverse aortic constriction induced mice hearts and normal mice hearts.

Materials and methods: Colorimetric quantification was used to probe the changes in m6A modifications in the total RNA. The expression of m6A-related enzymes was analyzed via qRT-PCR and western blotting. RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq were performed to identify genes with differences in m6A modifications or expression in the transcriptome profile.

Results: Compared with the control group, the TAC group exhibited higher m6A methylation levels. FTO and WTAP were downregulated after TAC, while METTL3 was significantly downregulated at the protein level. MeRIP-seq revealed that 1179 m6A peaks were upmethylated and 733 m6A peaks were downmethylated, and biological analysis of these genes exhibited a strong relationship with heart function.

Conclusion: Our findings provide novel information regarding m6A modification and gene expression changes in cardiac hypertrophy, which may be fundamental for further research.

Keywords: Cardiac hypertrophy; MeRIP-seq; m6A transcriptome.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cardiomegaly / genetics
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Transcriptome*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Adenosine