Comprehensive epigenetic analysis of m6A modification in the hippocampal injury of diabetic rats

Aim: To study RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the diabetic hippocampus. Methods: Behavioral tests and staining were performed to evaluate the damage to the diabetic hippocampus in model rats. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression of methylation-related enzymes, and flow cytometry was used to demonstrate HT22 cell apoptosis. M6A and RNA sequencing analyses were conducted to profile m6A-tagged transcripts in the diabetic hippocampus. Results: The rat models of diabetes mellitus suffered from cognitive disorders and hippocampal neuron damage. High glucose levels altered the expression of methylation-related enzymes. A total of 4890 differentially methylated m6A peaks and 63 differentially expressed genes and differentially methylated m6A sites were identified. Conclusion: The findings suggest that m6A modification is altered in the diabetic hippocampus and provide new insight into diabetic hippocampal injury.