Integrated analysis of transcriptome-wide m⁶A methylome of osteosarcoma stem cells enriched by chemotherapy

Aim: To analyze the m⁶A methylome of osteosarcoma stem cells (OSCs). Materials & methods: Chemoresistant OSCs were enriched by doxorubicin treatment. Expression of m⁶A-related enzymes was detected by quantitative real-time-PCR and western blot. MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq were performed to identify differences in m⁶A methylation and gene expression. Data analysis was conducted to explore the modified genes and their clinical significance. Results: Three m⁶A-related enzymes were altered in OSCs. Differentially methylated genes were enriched in some pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. The expression of several candidate genes were found consistent with that in GSE33458 dataset, and associated with poor prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Conclusion: m⁶A may play a role in the emergence and maintaining of OSCs and affect the prognosis.