Journal Article

METTL14-mediated m6A epitranscriptomic modification contributes to chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain by stabilizing GluN2A expression via IGF2BP2

Ye, Yaqi, Zhao, Qiyue, Qi, Zhenhua, Xie, Jingdun, Lu, Weicheng, Xu, Yixin, Wang, Shu, Ma, Huijie, Ye, Qingqing, Zhang, Jingyun, Zhong, Weiqiang, Yang, Xiaohua, Chen, Guojun, Huang, Junting, Zeng, Weian, Wang, Yuge, Wang, Xintong, Guo, Xinqi

2024

Overview

Epigenetics is a biological process that modifies and regulates gene expression, affects neuronal function, and contributes to pain. However, the mechanism by which epigenetics facilitates and maintains chronic pain is poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether N 6 -methyladenosine (m6A) specifically modified by methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) alters neuronal activity and governs pain by sensitizing the GluN2A subunit of the N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP). Using dot blotting, immunofluorescence, gain/loss-of-function, and behavioral assays, we found that m6A levels were upregulated in L4–L6 DRG neurons in CINP in a DBP/METTL14-dependent manner, which was also confirmed in human DRGs. Blocking METTL14 reduced m6A methylation and attenuated pain hypersensitivity. Mechanistically, METTL14-mediated m6A modification facilitated the synaptic plasticity of DRG neurons by enhancing the GluN2A subunit of NMDAR, and inhibiting METTL14 blocked this effect. In contrast, overexpression of METTL14 upregulated m6A modifications, enhanced presynaptic NMDAR activity in DRG neurons, and facilitated pain sensation. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of METTL14-mediated m6A modification in DRG neurons to maintain neuropathic pain. Targeting these molecules may provide a new strategy for pain treatment.

• Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
• Subject: Binding proteins / Cancer / Chemotherapy / Chronic pain / Complications and side effects / Development and progression / Dorsal root ganglia / Epigenetic inheritance / Epigenetics / Gene expression / Genetic aspects / Glutamic acid receptors / Health aspects / Hyperalgesia / Hypersensitivity / Immunofluorescence / Methyltransferase / Methyltransferases / N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors / N6-methyladenosine / Neuralgia / Neurons / Neuroscience / Pain / Pain perception / Physiological aspects / Protein expression / Proteins / Risk factors / Sensation / Spinal cord / Synaptic plasticity