FTO-mediated regulation of m6A methylation is closely related to apoptosis induced by repeated UV irradiation

Ultraviolet (UV) damage is closely related to skin photoaging and many skin diseases, including dermatic tumors. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism. However, the role of m6A methylation in apoptosis induced by repeated UV irradiation has not been characterized. To explore m6A methylation changes and regulatory mechanisms in the repeated UV-induced skin damage process, especially apoptosis. HaCaT cells and BALB/c-Nu nude mice were exposed to repeated UVB/UVA+UVB irradiation. Colorimetry and flow cytometry were used to measure cellular viability and apoptosis. m6A-modified genes were detected via colorimetry and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) sequencing. Methyltransferases and demethylases were detected via RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Transfection of siRNA and plasmid was performed to knock down or overexpress the selected genes. After UVB irradiation, 861 m6A peaks were increased and 425 m6A peaks were decreased in HaCaT cells. The differentially modified genes were enriched in apoptosis-related pathways. The m6A demethylase FTO was decreased in both HaCaT cells and mouse skin after UV damage. Overexpressing FTO could improve cell viability, inhibit apoptosis and decrease RNA-m6A methylation, including LPCAT3-m6A, which increase LPCAT3 expression, cell viability promotion and apoptosis inhibition. Our study identified the cell m6A methylation change lists after repeated UVB irradiation, and revealed that FTO and LPCAT3 play key roles in the m6A methylation pathogenesis of UV-induced skin cell apoptosis. FTO-m6A-LPCAT3 might serve as a novel upstream target for preventing and treating photoaging and UV-induced skin diseases. •FTO-mediated RNA methylation was involved in skin UV damage.•FTO is involved in skin UV damage by regulating cell viability and apoptosis.•m6A modification of LPCAT3 was involved in this process.