Targeting the lncMST-EPRS/HSP90AB1 complex as novel therapeutic strategy for T-2 toxin-induced growth retardation

Growth retardation is a global public health problem that is highly prevalent especially in low-and middle-income countries, which is closely related to the consumption of grains contaminated with T-2 toxin, a risk for human and animal health. However, the possible targets that can relieve T-2 toxin-induced growth retardation still need to be explored. In the present study, T-2 toxin was used as an environmental exposure factor to induce growth retardation and further explore the regulatory role of lncRNA in growth retardation. The present study systematically characterised the expression profiles of lncRNAs and identified a lncRNA lncMST that is related to growth retardation in T-2 toxin-administered rats. Functionally, lncMST could alleviate cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in T-2 toxin-treated GH3 cells. Mechanistically, lncMST, serve as an inducible chaperone RNA, involved in the paradigm "Chemical-induced stress related growth retardation", through recruiting the EPRS/HSP90AB1 complex to increase HDAC6 expression, thus further alleviating T-2 toxin-induced growth retardation. These findings for the first time demonstrate that the probable therapeutic relationship between lncMST and growth retardation, providing an explanation and therapeutic targets for the pathogenesis of growth retardation.