AUTHOR=Lin Xiaohuang , Zhang Jian , Wu Zekai , Shi Yuan , Chen Mengting , Li Maodong , Hu Hong , Tian Kun , Lv Xiaoqi , Li Chutao , Liu Yang , Gao Xinyue , Yang Qiaomei , Chen Kunqi , Zhu An 

TITLE=Involvement of autophagy in mesaconitine-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells revealed through integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and m6A epitranscriptomic profiling

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1393717

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1393717

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Mesaconitine (MA), a diester-diterpenoid alkaloid extracted from the medicinal herb <italic>Aconitum carmichaelii</italic>, is commonly used to treat various diseases. Previous studies have indicated the potent toxicity of aconitum despite its pharmacological activities, with limited understanding of its effects on the nervous system and the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> HT22 cells and zebrafish were used to investigate the neurotoxic effects of MA both <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>, employing multi-omics techniques to explore the potential mechanisms of toxicity.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Our results demonstrated that treatment with MA induces neurotoxicity in zebrafish and HT22 cells. Subsequent analysis revealed that MA induced oxidative stress, as well as structural and functional damage to mitochondria in HT22 cells, accompanied by an upregulation of mRNA and protein expression related to autophagic and lysosomal pathways. Furthermore, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) showed a correlation between the expression of autophagy-related genes and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification following MA treatment. In addition, we identified METTL14 as a potential regulator of m6A methylation in HT22 cells after exposure to MA.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our study has contributed to a thorough mechanistic elucidation of the neurotoxic effects caused by MA, and has provided valuable insights for optimizing the rational utilization of traditional Chinese medicine formulations containing aconitum in clinical practice.</p>