FTO knockdown alleviates hypoxia-induced PC12 cell injury by stabilizing GADD45B in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level is closely associated with neurodevelopment and central nervous system dysfunctions including spinal cord injury (SCI). M6A level can be dynamically regulated by m6A methyltransferases and demethylases. In this text, the roles of m6A demethylase FTO alpha-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase (FTO) in SCI development along with its m6A-dependent regulatory mechanisms were investigated in hypoxia-induced PC12 cell injury model. The results showed that FTO was low expressed in spinal cord tissues of rats after contusive SCI and hypoxia-treated PC12 cells. FTO knockdown alleviated hypoxia-induced PC12 cell injury. FTO loss increased GADD45B expression and m6A level in PC12 cells. GADD45B knockdown weakened the protective effects of FTO depletion on hypoxia-treated PC12 cells. FTO regulated GADD45B expression in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner. In conclusion, FTO knockdown mitigated the injury of hypoxia-induced PC12 cells by up-regulating GADD45B in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner.