Variant specific global loss of cellular m6A RNA methylation during SARS-CoV-2 infection
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ABSTRACT: COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is far from getting over because of the emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants even though vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is ongoing. Variant specific mechanistic understanding of host-viral interaction will be required to design novel anti-viral therapeutics. N6-methyladenosine modification (m6A) which is one of the abundant cellular RNA modifications regulates key processes in RNA metabolism during stress response. We observed different SARS-CoV-2 variants during infection causes global loss of m6A in cellular RNA whereas m6A modification was detected abundantly in viral RNA. The loss of m6A in cellular RNAs was more drastic in B.1 and B1.1.7 strains and the main m6A methyltransferase METTL3 shows cytoplasmic localization post-infection. In B1.351 variant effect on METTL3 localization and loss of m6A was less pronounced compared to B.1 and B1.1.7 variants. Gene expression profile suggested changes in RNA catabolism-related pathways including key genes related to m6A readers and erasers during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Genes with m6A peaks were more susceptible to down-regulation during viral infection. Inhibition of export protein XPO1 during infection results in restoration of METTL3 nuclear localization and reduction in viral infection in cell culture suggesting XPO1 inhibition could be an effective therapeutic option for SARS-CoV-2.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens Chlorocebus sabaeus
PROVIDER: GSE188477 | GEO | 2023/02/07
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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