Transcriptome-Wide Identification and Analysis Reveals m6A Regulation of Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells Under TGEV Infection
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) represents a critical intestinal pathogen responsible for acute enteritis in pigs, posing significant challenges to global swine production biosecurity. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant epitranscriptomic mark in eukaryotic messenger RNA, has emerged as a regulatory factor in host–virus interactions. Despite its recognized importance, the functional significance of m6A modifications during TGEV infection of porcine jejunal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells remains unexplored. Here, we established a TGEV-infected IPEC-J2 cell model and we employed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) to comprehensively profile the m6A epitranscriptomic landscape and identify N6-methyladenosine-bearing transcripts in IPEC-J2 cells following TGEV challenge. A total of 14,813 m6A peaks were identified in the IPEC-J2, distributed in 7728 genes, mainly enriched in the CDS and 3′-UTRs. After TGEV infection, we identified 832 m6A peaks and 1660 genes with significant changes. Integrative analysis revealed a direct positive relationship between N6-methyladenosine modification abundance and transcript expression levels. Through integrated examination of MeRIP-Seq and RNA-Seq datasets, we identified 105 transcripts bearing m6A modifications, which were mainly enriched in the mTOR signaling pathway. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that SOS2 probably acts an important moderator in TGEV infection. This work contributes to understanding the m6A modification landscape in the TGEV-swine model and suggests SOS2 as potential target for future antiviral strategies.
Source: Veterinary Sciences
Authors: Ying Liu, Gang Zhou, Guolian Wang, Zhengchang Wu
Institutions: Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an University, Yangzhou University
Language: English
Topic: RNA modifications and cancer
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,534
Award: G7882873258
OpenAlex ID: W7116735771
