The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 affects cell proliferation and migration by regulating YAP expression in Hirschsprung disease
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In brief
In brief
This molecular study identifies METTL3-mediated m6A methylation as a key regulator in Hirschsprung disease pathogenesis, demonstrating that reduced METTL3 expression impairs neural crest cell proliferation and migration through YAP pathway dysregulation. The findings reveal a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying enteric nervous system development defects in HSCR.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Background
METTL3, an mRNA m6A methyltransferase, has been implicated in various steps of mRNA metabolism, such as stabilization, splicing, nuclear transportation, translation, and degradation. However, whether METTL3 dysregulation is involved in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) development remains unclear. In this study, we preliminarily elucidated the role of METTL3 in HSCR and sought to identify the associated molecular mechanism.
Methods
The gene expression levels of YAP and several methyltransferases, demethylases, and effectors were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Protein levels were evaluated by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK-8 and Transwell assays, respectively. The overall levels of m6A modification were determined by colorimetry.
Results
We found that m6A levels were reduced in the stenotic intestinal tissue of patients with HSCR. When METTL3 was knocked down in SH-SY5Y and HEK-293T cells, the proliferative and migratory abilities of the cells were inhibited, m6A modification levels were reduced, and YAP expression was increased. Importantly, YAP and METTL3 expression displayed a negative correlation in both cell lines as well as in HSCR tissue.
Conclusions
Our results provide evidence for an interaction between METTL3 and YAP in HSCR, and further suggest that METTL3 is involved in the pathogenesis of HSCR by regulating neural crest cell proliferation and migration upstream of YAP.