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A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
Published on: December 5, 2016
Expression profiling of N6-methyladenosine modified circRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia
Mohammed Awal Issah1, Dansen Wu2, Feng Zhang1
1Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical Center of Hematology, Clinical Research Center for Hematological Malignancies of Fujian Province, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, China.
Abstract:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, associated with poor prognosis and easy relapse of disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were detected to be m6A modified and the role of m6A circRNAs has been reported in other diseases including cancers, however, their role has not been elucidated in AML yet. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression profiling of m6A circRNAs in AML. We performed m6A circRNAs microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed m6A circRNAs in bone marrow samples from AML patients and healthy individuals (control). Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis predicted the potential functions and relevant pathways that may be associated with the m6A circRNAs. The circRNA m6A methylation levels were found to be positively associated with the circRNAs expression, suggesting circRNA m6A modification could contribute to circRNA regulation in AML. Further analysis demonstrated that circRNA m6A modification might influence the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network that may contribute to the circRNA regulatory network in AML. Our findings provide evidence of the differential expression profile of m6A circRNAs in AML, and circRNA m6A modification may contribute to circRNA regulatory function in AML.
Insights
This study reveals that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modified circular RNAs (circRNAs) are differentially expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These m6A circRNAs may play a regulatory role in AML development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a prevalent adult leukemia with poor prognosis and high relapse rates.
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in various diseases, including cancers, often through post-transcriptional modifications like N6-methyladenosine (m6A).
- The specific involvement of m6A-modified circRNAs in AML remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of m6A-modified circRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia.
- To identify differentially expressed m6A circRNAs in AML patient samples compared to healthy controls.
- To explore the potential functional implications and regulatory networks involving m6A circRNAs in AML.
Main Methods:
- Performed m6A circRNAs microarray analysis on bone marrow samples from AML patients and healthy individuals.
- Utilized bioinformatics analysis to predict the functions and pathways associated with identified m6A circRNAs.
- Examined the correlation between m6A methylation levels and circRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Identified a distinct expression profile of m6A circRNAs in AML.
- Found a positive association between m6A circRNA methylation levels and their expression, suggesting a regulatory role for m6A modification.
- Bioinformatics analysis indicated that m6A circRNA modification may influence circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression networks.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated differential expression of m6A circRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia.
- Provided evidence that m6A modification is involved in the regulation of circRNAs in AML.
- Suggested that m6A circRNAs contribute to the regulatory network in AML, potentially impacting disease progression.
