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m6A RNA methylation: A dynamic regulator of cardiac muscle and extracellular matrix

Charles P Rabolli1,2, Federica Accornero1,2

  • 1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 473 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.

Current Opinion in Physiology
|June 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key RNA modification regulating gene expression. This review highlights m6A’s critical roles in cardiac homeostasis, injury repair, and controlling key cellular processes in the heart.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Post-transcriptional modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A) of mRNA, are crucial regulators of gene expression.
  • m6A is a prevalent epitranscriptomic mark influencing RNA metabolism and function.
  • Understanding m6A's role in cardiac biology is essential for addressing heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest findings on the function of m6A in cardiac muscle.
  • To discuss the impact of m6A on cardiac homeostasis and response to injury.
  • To explore m6A's role in regulating cardiac cellular processes and the extracellular matrix.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on m6A in cardiovascular research.
  • Analysis of m6A's involvement in fibroblast-myofibroblast transition.
  • Examination of m6A's influence on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and division.

Main Results:

  • m6A is a critical regulator of fibroblast to myofibroblast transition.
  • m6A significantly impacts cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cell division.
  • This modification affects the structure and function of the cardiac extracellular matrix.

Conclusions:

  • m6A plays a vital role in maintaining cardiac homeostasis.
  • m6A is implicated in the cardiac response to injury and disease.
  • Targeting m6A pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for heart conditions.

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