Loss‐of‐function variants in RNA binding motif protein X‐linked induce neuronal defects contributing to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis
Di He,
Xinyi He,
Dongchao Shen,
Liyang Liu,
Xunzhe Yang,
Meng Hao,
Yi Wang,
Yi Li,
Qing Liu,
Mingsheng Liu,
Jiucun Wang,
Xue Zhang,
Liying Cui
Affiliations
Di He
Department of Neurology Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing China
Xinyi He
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute Fudan University Shanghai China
Dongchao Shen
Department of Neurology Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Liyang Liu
McKusick‐Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Xunzhe Yang
Department of Neurology Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Meng Hao
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute Fudan University Shanghai China
Yi Wang
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute Fudan University Shanghai China
Yi Li
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute Fudan University Shanghai China
Qing Liu
Department of Neurology Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Mingsheng Liu
Department of Neurology Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Jiucun Wang
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute Fudan University Shanghai China
Xue Zhang
McKusick‐Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Liying Cui
Department of Neurology Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
Abstract Despite being one of the most prevalent RNA modifications, the role of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains ambiguous. In this investigation, we explore the contribution of genetic defects of m6A‐related genes to ALS pathogenesis. We scrutinized the mutation landscape of m6A genes through a comprehensive analysis of whole‐exome sequencing cohorts, encompassing 508 ALS patients and 1660 population‐matched controls. Our findings reveal a noteworthy enrichment of RNA binding motif protein X‐linked (RBMX) variants among ALS patients, with a significant correlation between pathogenic m6A variants and adverse clinical outcomes. Furthermore, Rbmx knockdown in NSC‐34 cells overexpressing mutant TDP43Q331K results in cell death mediated by an augmented p53 response. Similarly, RBMX knockdown in ALS motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) manifests morphological defects and activation of the p53 pathway. Transcriptional analysis using publicly available single‐cell sequencing data from the primary motor cortex indicates that RBMX‐regulated genes selectively influence excitatory neurons and exhibit enrichment in ALS‐implicated pathways. Through integrated analyses, our study underscores the emerging roles played by RBMX in ALS, suggesting a potential nexus between the disease and dysregulated m6A‐mediated mRNA metabolism.
