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. 2023 Sep-Oct;13(5):563-566.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.07.003. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

Decreased expression of the m6A RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is associated with residual ridge resorption

Harini Sri Krishnamoorthy  1 , Balachander Kannan  2 , Dhanraj Ganapathy  1 , Vijayashree Priyadharsini Jayaseelan  2 , Paramasivam Arumugam  2
Affiliations

Decreased expression of the m6A RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is associated with residual ridge resorption

Harini Sri Krishnamoorthy et al. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2023 Sep-Oct.

Erratum in

Abstract

Objective: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and its regulators play crucial roles in the progression of osteoporosis (OP) by regulating the expression of osteoporosis-related genes. In this study, we have analyzed the expression of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and its target gene Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in patients with residual ridge resorption (RRR).

Materials and methods: A total 50 number of participants were included in this comparative study (RRR - n25 and healthy control - n25). Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood and converted into cDNA. METTL3 and RUNX2 expression levels were quantified using RT-qPCR with GAPDH as the reference gene. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify gene functions and pathways.

Results: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed that METTL3 and RUNX2 expression was downregulated in the RRR group compared to that in healthy controls (P < 0.05). In silico functional analysis provided information regarding the role of METTL3 in various biological processes.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that METTL3 dysregulation contributes to RRR pathogenesis. Further large-scale samples and functional studies are required to identify their therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Genetics; Health; METTL3; Residual ridge resorption; m6A methylation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Analysis of mRNA expression of METTL3 (A) and RUNX2 (B) in RRR and control groups was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). RUNX2 sequence-based m6A modification site prediction using SRAMP software combined with the prediction score (C). Protein-protein interaction network between METTL3 and its target proteins in the STRING dataset (D). Functional enrichment analysis or pathway enrichment analysis using the Metascape database (E). * indicates statistical significance (P < 0.05).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Schematic representation of METTL3 role in RRR via regulation of RUNX2 translation. Methyltransferase like-3 (METTL3) is a crucial protein involved in m6A methylation that regulates various biological and cellular processes in humans. METTL3 is primarily responsible for methylation, which determines mRNA fate. Decreased METTL3 expression reduces the methylation of RUNX2 mRNA, which results in reduced RUNX2 translation. RUNX2 is a crucial protein in bone formation, and reduced RUNX2 expression is associated with osteoclasts and bone degradation in RRR.
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