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Updated: May 23, 2025

A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
08:56

A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues

Published on: December 5, 2016

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Expression profile and N6-methyadenosine modification of circular RNA analysis in MAFLD

Mengyao Zheng1, Dongyun Cun2, Haiyu He1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650101, China.

BMC Gastroenterology
|March 12, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reveals that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification influences circular RNA (circRNA) expression in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). These findings suggest m6A-regulated circRNAs may drive MAFLD progression, offering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing health concern.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in various diseases.
  • The role of m6A methylation in MAFLD-associated circRNA dysregulation remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression patterns of circRNAs in MAFLD.
  • To explore the regulatory role of m6A methylation on circRNAs in MAFLD.
  • To identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for MAFLD.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray analysis of circRNA expression in MAFLD and control liver tissues.
  • Prediction of m6A sites on differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) using SRAMP.
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses for functional annotation of DECs.
  • Validation of DECs and m6A modification levels by RT-qPCR and MeRIP-qPCR.

Main Results:

  • 59 DECs were identified in MAFLD liver tissues compared to controls.
  • m6A sites were predicted in 39 of the identified DECs.
  • RT-qPCR validated the expression of selected DECs (hsa-MLIP_0004, hsa-CHD2_0084, hsa-FOXP1_0001).
  • MeRIP-qPCR demonstrated significantly different m6A methylation levels in MAFLD versus control groups.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulated circRNA expression in MAFLD may be influenced by m6A modifications.
  • m6A-mediated regulation of circRNAs is implicated in MAFLD progression.
  • This study provides a foundation for understanding epigenetic regulation of circRNAs in MAFLD and developing novel strategies.
Keywords:
Circular RNAMAFLDm6A modification

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