GnRH-driven FTO-mediated RNA m6A modification promotes gonadotropin synthesis and secretion

Background: Gonadotropin precisely controls mammalian reproductive activities. Systematic analysis of the mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications regulate the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropin can be useful for more precise regulation of the animal reproductive process. Previous studies have identified many differential m⁶A modifications in the GnRH-treated adenohypophysis. However, the molecular mechanism by which m⁶A modification regulates gonadotropin synthesis and secretion remains unclear.

Results: Herein, it was found that GnRH can promote gonadotropin synthesis and secretion by promoting the expression of FTO. Highly expressed FTO binds to Foxp2 mRNA in the nucleus, exerting a demethylation function and reducing m⁶A modification. After Foxp2 mRNA exits the nucleus, the lack of m⁶A modification prevents YTHDF3 from binding to it, resulting in increased stability and upregulation of Foxp2 mRNA expression, which activates the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway to promote gonadotropin synthesis and secretion.

Conclusions: Overall, the study reveals the molecular mechanism of GnRH regulating the gonadotropin synthesis and secretion through FTO-mediated m⁶A modification. The results of this study allow systematic interpretation of the regulatory mechanism of gonadotropin synthesis and secretion in the pituitary at the epigenetic level and provide a theoretical basis for the application of reproductive Hormones in the regulation of animal artificial reproduction.

FTO; Gonadotropin; Pituitary; Reproduction; m6A modification.