N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase METTL3 affects the phenotype of cerebral arteriovenous malformation via modulating Notch signaling pathway

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a serious life-threatening congenital cerebrovascular disease. Specific anatomical features, such as nidus size, location, and venous drainage, have been validated to affect treatment outcomes. Until recently, molecular biomarkers and corresponding molecular mechanism related to anatomical features and treatment outcomes remain unknown.

Our findings revealed the mechanism by which m6A modification regulated the angiogenesis and might provide potential biomarkers to predict the outcome of treatment, as well as provide suitable pharmacological targets for preventing the formation and progression of cerebral AVM.

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) Methyltransferase METTL3 was identified as a differentially expressed gene in groups with different lesion sizes by analyzing the transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data. Tube formation and wound healing assays were performed to investigate the effect of METTL3 on angiogenesis. In addition, Methylated RNA Immunoprecipitation Sequencing technology (MeRIP-seq) was performed to screen downstream targets of METTL3 in endothelial cells and to fully clarify the specific underlying molecular mechanisms affecting the phenotype of cerebral AVM.

In the current study, we found that the expression level of METTL3 was reduced in the larger pathological tissues of cerebral AVMs. Moreover, knockdown of METTL3 significantly affected angiogenesis of the human endothelial cells. Mechanistically, down-regulation of METTL3 reduced the level of heterodimeric Notch E3 ubiquitin ligase formed by DTX1 and DTX3L, thereby continuously activating the Notch signaling pathway. Ultimately, the up-regulated downstream genes of Notch signaling pathway dramatically affected the angiogenesis of endothelial cells. In addition, we demonstrated that blocking Notch pathway with DAPT could restore the phenotype of METTL3 deficient endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our findings revealed the mechanism by which m6A modification regulated the angiogenesis and might provide potential biomarkers to predict the outcome of treatment, as well as provide suitable pharmacological targets for preventing the formation and progression of cerebral AVM.