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METTL4-mediated mitochondrial DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine promoting macrophage inflammation and atherosclerosis

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the development of atherogenesis. Methyltransferase-like protein 4 (METTL4) mediates N6-deoxyadenosine (6mA) methylation of mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). However, the role of METTL4-mediated mitoepigenetic regulation in atherosclerosis is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the potential involvement of METTL4 in atherosclerosis, explore the underlying mechanism, and develop targeted strategies for treating atherosclerosis. METHODS: Expression levels of mtDNA 6mA and METTL4 were determined in atherosclerotic lesions. We explored the mechanism of METTL4 involvement in atherosclerosis using Mettl4Mac-KO-Apoe-/- and Mettl4MUT-Apoe-/- mice and cell models, as well as bone marrow transplantation. Natural compound libraries were screened to identify potent METTL4 antagonists. In addition, bioinspired proteolysis-targeting (PROTAC) technology targeting macrophages within plaques was used to increase the efficacy of the METTL4 antagonist. RESULTS: The expression levels of mtDNA 6mA and METTL4 were significantly increased in plaque macrophages. Mettl4Mac-KO-Apoe-/- mice displayed suppressed mtDNA 6mA levels and atherosclerotic progression, which were reversed by METTL4 restoration via bone marrow transplantation (n = 6). Mechanistically, elevated METTL4 expression reduces MT-ATP6 expression by suppressing its transcription, thereby impairing the activity of mitochondrial respiration chain complex V. This disruption leads to the accumulation of excess protons in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Consequently, mtDNA is released into the cytoplasm, ultimately triggering inflammasome activation. All results were reversed by the mutation in the METTL4 methyltransferase active site. Mettl4MUT-Apoe-/- mice showed suppressed mtDNA 6mA levels and atherosclerotic progression, and repaired mitochondrial function of macrophage, which were reversed by METTL4 restoration via bone marrow transplantation (n = 6). Pemetrexed (PEM) was identified as the first METTL4 antagonist to effectively alleviate atherosclerotic progression. Furthermore, we generated a proteolysis-targeting chimera drug based on PEM (PROTAC-PEM) that specifically targeting METTL4 in macrophages within plaques, showing a promising therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a novel mechanism by which mtDNA 6mA orchestrated mitochondrial function-related gene expression in macrophages, thereby promoting atherosclerosis. Through various experimental techniques, such as gene manipulation, pharmacological inhibition and PROTAC, this study demonstrated that mtDNA 6mA and its specific enzyme METTL4 hold potential as therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE280434 | GEO | 2024/11/02

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Atherosclerosis leads high mortality, highlighting an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Protein kinases orchestrate multiple cellular events in atherosclerosis and may provide new therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis. Here, we identified a protein kinase, WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1), promoting inflammatory response in atherosclerosis. Methods: The ApoE-/- mice without macrophage-specific WEE1 deletion (ApoE-/-WEE1f/f) and ApoE-/- mice with macrophage-specific WEE1 deletion (ApoE-/-WEE1MCKO) were generated using bone marrow transplantation. These mice and WEE1 inhibitor MK1775 were used in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerotic model. Human atherosclerotic tissues, mouse primary peritoneal macrophages (MPMs), 293T cells, and recombinant proteins were utilized to investigate the pathogenic role and underlying mechanisms of WEE1. Results: We identified up-regulated p-WEE1 in macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions of HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice. Transcriptome sequencing analysis indicated that WEE1 promotes oxLDL-induced inflammation in macrophages. We then demonstrated that macrophage-specific deletion or pharmacological inhibition of WEE1 attenuates atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. The overexpression of wild-type WEE1 or activating-mutant WEE1, but not inactivating-mutant WEE1, exacerbates inflammation in macrophages. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing analysis and co-immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative proteomics analysis identified p65 as a binding protein of WEE1. We confirmed that WEE1 directly interacts with the RHD domain of p65 via kinase domain and phosphorylates p65 at S536, thereby facilitating subsequent NF-κB activation and inflammatory response in macrophages. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that macrophage WEE1 promotes inflammatory atherosclerosis by directly binding to p65 and phosphorylate it at S536. This study provides WEE1 as a new p65 regulator in inflammation and a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

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METTL4-mediated mitochondrial DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine promoting macrophage inflammation and atherosclerosis

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