A Characterization of the RNA Modification Response to Starvation under Low Temperatures in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

Emerging evidence shows that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional RNA modification that plays a vital role in regulation of gene expression, fundamental biological processes, and physiological functions. To explore the effect of starvation on m6A methylation modification in the liver of Larimichthys crocea (L. crocea) under low temperatures, the livers of L. crocea from cold and cold + fasting groups were subjected to MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq using the NovaSeq 6000 platform. Compared to the cryogenic group, the expression of RNA methyltransferases mettl3 and mettl14 was upregulated, whereas that of demethylase fto and alkbh5 was downregulated in the starved cryogenic group. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differentially m6A-modified genes were mainly enriched in steroid biosynthesis, DNA replication, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, PPAR, ECM-receptor interaction, lysine degradation, phosphatidylinositol, and the MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that L. crocea responds to starvation under low-temperature stress through m6A methylation modification-mediated cell growth, proliferation, innate immunity, and the maintenance of lipid homeostasis. This study advances understanding of the physiological response mechanism exerted by m6A methylation modification in starved L. crocea at low temperatures.