Alteration of N-methyladenosine epitranscriptome profile in unilateral ureteral obstructive nephropathy.

To reveal the alterations of N-methyladenosine (mA) epitranscriptome profile in kidney after unilateral ureteral obstruction in mice. Total renal mA and expressions of methyltransferases and demethylases were detected by colorimetric quantification method, real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing was performed to map epitranscriptome-wide mA profile. Total mA levels were time-dependent decreased within 1 week, with the lowest level detected at day 7. A total of 823 differentially methylated transcripts in 507 genes were identified. Specifically, demethylated mRNAs selectively acted on multiple pathways, including TGF-β and WNT. mA modification has a functional importance in renal interstitial fibrosis during obstructive nephropathy and might be a promising therapeutic target.