ALKBH5 suppresses autophagic flux via N6-methyladenosine demethylation of ZKSCAN3 mRNA in acute pancreatitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification plays an essential role in a wide range of pathological conditions. Impaired autophagy is a critical hallmark of acute pancreatitis (AP).

AIM

To explore the role of the m⁶A modification of ZKSCAN3 in the regulation of autophagy in AP.

METHODS

The AP mouse cell model was established by cerulein-treated mouse pancreatic acinar cells (MPC-83), and the results were confirmed by the levels of amylase and inflammatory factors. Autophagy activity was evaluated by specific identification of the autophagy-related microstructure and the expression of autophagy-related genes. ZKSCAN3 and ALKBH5 were knocked down to study the function in AP. A m⁶A RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay was used to study how the m6A modification of ZKSCAN3 mRNA is regulated by ALKBH.

RESULTS

The increased expression of amylase and inflammatory factors in the supernatant and the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles verified that the AP mouse cell model was established. The downregulation of LAMP2 and upregulation of LC3-II/I and SQSTM1 demonstrated that autophagy was impaired in AP. The expression of ZKSCAN3 was upregulated in AP. Inhibition of ZKSCAN3 increased the expression of LAMP2 and decreased the expression of the inflammatory factors, LC3-II/I and SQSTM1. Furthermore, ALKBH5 was upregulated in AP. Knockdown of ALKBH5 downregulated ZKSCAN3 expression and restored decreased autophagic flux in AP. Notably, the bioinformatic analysis revealed 23 potential m⁶A modification sites on ZKSCAN3 mRNA. The m⁶A modification of ZKSCAN3 mRNA was significantly decreased in AP. Knockdown of ALKBH5 increased the modification of ZKSCAN3 mRNA, which confirmed that ALKBH5 upregulated ZKSCAN3 expression in a m⁶A-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

ALKBH5 inhibits autophagic flux through m⁶A demethylation of ZKSCAN3 mRNA in AP, thereby aggravating the severity of the disease.

Key Words: Acute pancreatitis, Autophagy, ZKSCAN3, N6-methyladenosine, ALKBH5

Core Tip: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common emergency in digestive system. Impaired autophagy is one of important pathogenic mechanisms of AP, however, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. N6-methyladenosine modification and ZKSCAN3 are crucial regulatory factors of autophagy, but their roles in AP are not well-defined. This study confirmed that the demethylase ALKBH5 can inhibit autophagy flux by upregulating ZKSCAN3, thereby exacerbating the inflammatory severity of AP. The findings of this study provided new insights into the autophagy regulation mechanism and offered a novel direction for early intervention in AP.

INTRODUCTION

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common digestive emergencies. The global prevalence and incidence of AP are approximately 76/100000 and 34/100000, respectively, and the number of new cases is increasing at an annual rate of 3%[1-3]. With the progression of therapeutic concepts and interventions, the prognosis of AP has significantly improved. However, due to the unclear pathogenesis of AP, clinicians are still unable to effectively intervene specifically in local or systemic inflammation. The pathogenesis of AP is complex and multifactorial and induces significant and sustained pathological disruption[4,5]. Therefore, further study of the mechanism underlying the progression of AP will provide insight into the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process in which abnormal biomolecules and organelles are degraded and degradation products are recycled. Autophagy plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The entire autophagy process is defined as autophagic flux, and disrupted integrity of the process is called impaired autophagy[6]. Studies have shown that impaired autophagy plays an important role in the development of various diseases, such as neurodegeneration, inflammation, infection, tumors, and metabolic disorders[7-9]. In recent years, the important role of autophagy in AP has been gradually recognized. The basal level of autophagy in the mouse exocrine pancreas is significantly greater than that in the endocrine pancreas and other organs[10]. In experimental pancreatitis, interfering with the expression of upstream regulatory molecules or autophagy-related genes can induce inflammatory changes in exocrine pancreatic cells[11]. Impaired autophagy in AP manifests as activation of the initial stage but blockade of the degradation stage, resulting in harmful factors such as abnormal zymogen granules and disrupted organelles that cannot be effectively degraded[10]. Although impaired autophagy can mediate abnormal zymogen activation, inflammation, and cell death in pancreatic acinar cells[12], the specific regulatory mechanism involved is still unclear.

ZKSCAN3 is a zinc finger DNA-binding protein that simultaneously contains KRAB and SCAN domains; it is also a recognized inhibitory factor of autophagy[13,14]. Studies have shown that ZKSCAN3 can inhibit the transcription of numerous autophagy-related genes, such as LC3 and WIPI2, thereby suppressing a series of autophagy steps in various diseases[15,16]. However, the role of ZKSCAN3 in autophagy in AP has not yet been determined.

The N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification of RNA plays an important role in the autophagy regulatory network. This process is reversible and involves mainly methyltransferases, demethylases, and methylated RNA-binding proteins[17,18]. ALKBH5 is a crucial demethylase that plays a key role in various diseases[19,20]. In ovarian cancer, the overexpression of ALKBH5 promotes the formation of the BCL-2-Beclin1 complex, and inhibits autophagy[21]. In silica-related pneumonia, ALKBH5 can mediate autophagic flux blockade through the Slam7 pathway[22]. However, in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, ALKBH5 plays a role in promoting autophagic flux[23]. Although the role of m⁶A modification in impairing autophagy has been demonstrated in various tumors and inflammatory diseases, there is no experimental research on m⁶A modification in AP. Recent bioinformatics studies have shown that decreased m⁶A levels are related to the occurrence of severe AP[24], but whether this change is related to ALKBH5-mediated impaired autophagy in AP is unclear.

Clarifying the regulatory mechanism of autophagy in AP is crucial for early intervention. However, research on the autophagy and its regulatory mechanism in AP has not been illustrated. Therefore, in this article we aimed to explore the role and mechanism of action of ALKBH5 in ZKSCAN3 regulated autophagy. We verified the results at the cellular level through a series of molecular biology experiments, which provided a novel perspective on the research of pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of AP and highlighted new targets for therapeutic intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell culture

Mouse pancreatic acinar cells (MPC-83) were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% FBS, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 mg/mL streptomycin in a 37 °C incubator with 5% CO₂. The control groups were not treated, and the AP groups were pretreated with cerulein (10 nM) for 24 h.

Cell transfection

MPC-83 cells were seeded in 6-well plates and maintained at 37 °C and 5% CO₂. ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3-siRNA (50 nM) (RiboBio, Gunagzhou, China) were transfected into MPC-83 cells. After 48 h of transfection, the cells were treated with cerulein (10 nM) for 24 h.

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Total RNA was extracted from cells using the TRIzol method. All mRNAs were reverse transcribed using the PrimeScript™ RT reagent Kit (Perfect Real Time) (TaKaRa, Kyoto, Japan). Reverse transcription and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were performed with SYBR® Premix Ex Taq™ (TaKaRa, Kyoto, Japan). The results were normalized to that of β-actin and calculated via the relative quantification (2^-ΔΔCt) method. The primers used were purchased from Sangon Company (Table 1).

Table 1 Primer sequences for qPCR.

Genes	Sequence
ALKBH5	Forward 5’- CTTTGCTTCGGCTGCAAGTT -3’
	Reverse 5’- CCGGCGTTCCTTAATGTCCT -3’
ZKSCAN3	Forward 5’- CAGAGTAGGGTGGAAAGCC -3’
	Reverse 5’- AAGGTATGAAGGTCGGGTG -3’
Primer 1	Forward 5’- CCAGGCGGTTCTATTGC -3’
	Reverse 5’- TGGCTTTCCACCCTACTCT -3’
Primer 2	Forward: 5’- CAGAGTAGGGTGGAAAGCC-3’
	Reverse 5’- AGGTATGAAGGTCGGGTG-3’
Primer 3	Forward 5’- TGGTTCGGGATGGCTAG-3’
	Reverse 5’- AACAGCACTGCCTTGGAG-3’
β-actin	Forward 5’- GTGGCCGAGGACTTTGATTG-3’
	Reverse 5’- CCTGTAACAACGCATCTCATATT-3’

ELISA

The supernatant of MPC-83 cells was collected. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assessed using ELISA kits (Neobioscience, Shenzhen, China).

Western blot

Cell lysates were prepared using lysis buffer composed of 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl, 150 mmol/L NaCl, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, and 1% NP-40. The lysates were centrifuged to collect the supernatants. An equal amount of protein was denatured in SDS sample buffer and separated on 8% or 10% polyacrylamide gels based on the molecular weight of the target proteins. The separated proteins were then transferred to a PVDF membrane. The membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat milk in TBST (TBS containing 0.05% Tween 20), incubated with primary antibodies, and subsequently incubated with secondary antibodies conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Protein expression was detected by chemiluminescence. The antibodies used were against ALKBH5 (ab195377, Abcam, Britain), ZKSCAN3 (ab223477, Abcam, Britain), LC3 (Proteintech, Wuhan, China), LAMP-2 (Proteintech, Wuhan, China) and SQSTM1 (Proteintech, Wuhan, China).

Immunofluorescence

After cell fixation, the cells were treated with 0.2% Triton X-100 at room temperature. The cells were then blocked with blocking solution. Subsequently, the cells were treated with primary and secondary antibodies. DAPI dye was added to the cells, which were subsequently incubated in the dark. The cells were mounted on slides using anti-fade mounting medium, and fluorescence was observed using a fluorescence microscope. The antibodies used were against LC3 (Proteintech, Wuhan, China) and LAMP-2 (Proteintech, Wuhan, China).

Transmission electron microscopy

The specimens were cut and fixed in a 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution with Millonig's phosphate buffer (pH = 7.3). The samples were washed three times with Millonig's phosphate buffer at 10-minute intervals. The dehydration process was performed at room temperature using a graded series of acetone (50%, 70%, and 90%) at 10-min intervals, followed by two washes with 100% acetone at 15-min intervals. The samples were then soaked and embedded in a mixture of acetone and resin (1:1) for 12 h, followed by polymerization overnight at 37 °C using 100% resin. To solidify the sample resin, the specimens were further polymerized at 37 °C overnight, followed by an additional 12 h at 60 °C. Ultrathin sections of 50-100 nm were obtained from the specimens using an ultramicrotome and a diamond knife. The sections were then stained with 3% uranyl acetate and lead nitrate, after which they were examined and photographed using a Hitachi HT-7700 electron microscope.

M⁶A RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay

The M⁶A RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation kit was purchased from RiboBio. RNA was fragmented using RNA fragmentation buffer. Magnetic beads for m⁶A were prepared using magnetic beads A/G and an anti-m⁶A antibody. RNA immunoprecipitation was conducted by mixing the fragmented RNA with anti-m6A magnetic beads. The RNA was washed with elution buffer to remove it from the magnetic beads.

Website for m⁶A site prediction

Potential m⁶A binding sites on ZKSCAN3 mRNA were analyzed via a website (http://www.cuilab.cn/sramp/).

Statistical analysis

All the statistical analyses were performed in GraphPad Prism 8. Independent sample t tests were used to compare the means of two samples, while one-way ANOVA was used for analyzing and comparing the means of more than two groups of samples. P values < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. The experimental results are presented as the mean ± SD.

RESULTS

Impaired autophagy in the AP mouse cell model

To construct a cell model of AP, MPC-83 cells were treated with 10 nM cerulein for 24 h. The levels of amylase and the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the supernatant were measured via ELISA. The results showed that the levels of amylase and inflammatory factors were significantly greater in the cerulein-treated group (Figure 1A and B), indicating that the AP cell model was successfully established.

Figure 1 Impaired autophagy in a mouse acute pancreatitis cell model. A: The levels of amylase in the supernatant were detected by ELISA; B: The levels of inflammatory factors in the supernatant were detected by ELISA; C: The expression of autophagy-related proteins was detected by western blot; D: The microstructure of intracellular autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy; E: The expression of LC3 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800); F: The expression of LAMP-2 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800). ^aP < 0.05 vs saline group. TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin.

The expression levels of autophagy-related marker proteins were detected by western blotting, which showed that the ratio of LC3B-II/I was increased in the AP group, indicating an increase in autophagosomes. The expression of LAMP-2 was decreased in the AP groups, indicating impaired lysosomal synthesis. The expression of the selective autophagy receptor SQSTM1 was increased, indicating inhibited substrate degradation (Figure 1C). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the accumulation of circular autophagic vacuoles in the AP group, indicating impaired degradation and accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes (Figure 1D). Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining revealed that LC3 was significantly increased in the AP groups (Figure 1E), while LAMP-2 expression was decreased (Figure 1F). These results demonstrated that autophagosome formation is activated, while lysosomal synthesis and function are impaired, leading to decreased substrate degradation efficiency and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles, suggesting impaired autophagy.

ZKSCAN3 is upregulated and promotes the release of inflammatory factors in AP

To investigate the role of ZKSCAN3 in AP, qPCR, and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of ZKSCAN3. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of ZKSCAN3 were significantly increased in the AP group (Figure 2A and B). Three different siRNAs were used to knock down the expression of ZKSCAN3, and siRNA-2 had the most significant interference effect (Figure 2C and D). Subsequent experiments were performed using siRNA-2 to knock down ZKSCAN3. After the inhibition of ZKSCAN3, the cells were treated with cerulein to construct the AP cell model. The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the knocking down (KD) group were significantly lower than those in the negative control (NC) group (Figure 2E). These results suggest that ZKSCAN3 is upregulated and promotes the release of inflammatory factors in the AP mouse cell model.

Figure 2 The expression and function of ZKSCAN3 in acute pancreatitis. A: The expression of ZKSCAN3 mRNA was detected by qPCR; B: The expression level of ZKSCAN3 protein was detected by western blot; C: The expression level of ZKSCAN3 mRNA treated with three different siRNAs was detected by qPCR; D: The expression level of ZKSCAN3 protein in the MPC-83 cell line treated with three different siRNAs; E: After interfering with the expression of ZKSCAN3, the expression level of inflammatory factors in the mouse acute pancreatitis cell model was detected by ELISA. ^aP < 0.05 vs saline group; ^bP < 0.05 vs negative control group; ^cP < 0.05 vs cerulein group. NC: Negative control. TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin.

ZKSCAN3 impaired autophagic flux in AP

To investigate the role of ZKSCAN3 in autophagic flux in AP, western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy marker proteins (Figure 3A). The LC3B-II/I ratio was decreased in the KD group, demonstrating the increased clearance of autophagolysosomes. The expression of LAMP-2 increased, suggesting a reduction in lysosomal biogenesis impairment, and the expression of SQSTM1 decreased, indicating an improvement in substrate degradation efficiency. TEM revealed a significant reduction in autophagosome accumulation in the KD group (Figure 3B). Immunofluorescence staining revealed decreased expression of LC3 in the KD group (Figure 3C) and increased expression of LAMP-2 (Figure 3D). These results suggest that ZKSCAN3 inhibits autophagic flux in AP and that KD ZKSCAN3 expression can impair the blockade of autophagic flux.

Figure 3 ZKSCAN3 inhibits autophagic flux in acute pancreatitis. A: The expression of autophagy related proteins in the negative control group and knockdown group was detected by western blot; B: The extent of autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy; C: The expression of LC3 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800); D: The expression of LAMP-2 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800).

ALKBH5 is upregulated in AP and promotes the release of inflammatory factors

M⁶A methylation is widely involved in autophagy and contributes to the pathogenesis of human disease. The expression and function of ALKBH5, a primary m⁶A demethylase in AP, have not yet been determined. We detected ALKBH5 expression in the AP mouse cell model by qPCR and western blot analysis. The level of ALKBH5 was upregulated in the AP mouse cell model (Figure 4A and B). Furthermore, three different siRNAs were used to knock down ALKBH5 expression in MPC-83 cells, and siRNA-3 had the most effective interference effect (Figure 4C and D); therefore, siRNA-3 was used for subsequent experiments. The expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was significantly reduced (Figure 4E). These results suggest that ALKBH5 was upregulated in the mouse AP cell model and promoted the release of inflammatory factors.

Figure 4 The expression and function of ALKBH5 in acute pancreatitis. A: qPCR was used to detect ALKBH5 mRNA expression in acute pancreatitis (AP) group and control group; B: The expression level of the ALKBH5 protein in AP group and control group was detected by western blot; C: qPCR was used to detect ALKBH5 mRNA expression in the MPC-83 cell line treated with different siRNAs; D: western blot was used to detect ALKBH5 protein expression in MPC-83 cell line treated with three different siRNA; E: After interfering with the expression of ALKBH5, the expression level of inflammatory factors in the mouse AP cell line was detected by ELISA. ^aP < 0.05 vs saline group; ^bP < 0.05 vs negative control group; ^cP < 0.05 vs cerulein group. NC: Negative control; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin.

ALKBH5 inhibited autophagic flux by promoting ZKSCAN3 expression

In the AP mouse cell model, knockdown of ALKBH5 downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of ZKSCAN3 (Figure 5A), indicating that ALKBH5 promotes ZKSCAN3 expression. Furthermore, the expression of LC3B-II/I and SQSTM1 decreased, while LAMP-2 expression was increased (Figure 5B), indicating that the knockdown of ALKBH5 rescued the blockade of autophagic flux in AP. TEM confirmed that autophagic vacuole accumulation was reduced after the expression of ALKBH5 was inhibited (Figure 5C). Immunofluorescence revealed that the immunoreactivity of the LC3 protein decreased (Figure 5D), while the immunoreactivity of the LAMP-2 protein increased in the AP mouse cell model transfected with the ALKBH5 target siRNA (Figure 5E). These results suggested that ALKBH5 promoted ZKSCAN3 expression, resulting in the blockade of autophagic flux in AP.

Figure 5 ALKBH5 promoted the expression of ZKSCAN3 and inhibited autophagic flux. A: After interfering with ALKBH5 expression, the expression level of ZKSCAN3 mRNA was detected by qPCR; B: The expression levels of ZKSCAN3 protein and autophagy related proteins were detected by western blot; C: Autophagic microstructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy; D: LC3 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800); E: LAMP-2 was detected by immunofluorescence (magnification × 800). ^aP < 0.05 vs negative cerulein group. NC: Negative control.

ALKBH5 regulated ZKSCAN3 expression in a m⁶A-dependent manner

Considering that ALKBH5 is a well-known m⁶A demethylase, we further investigated the role of m⁶A modification in the regulation of ZKSCAN3 by ALKBH5. Biological software analysis revealed 23 potential m⁶A binding sites on ZKSCAN3 mRNA, including 6 highly credible sites, 7 highly credible sites, 6 moderately credible sites, and 4 sites with low credibility (Table 2, Figure 6A). Additionally, we constructed a secondary structure diagram of highly credible m⁶A binding sites (Figure 6B).

Figure 6 Prediction of m⁶A binding sites in ZKSCAN3. A: Potential m⁶A binding sites on ZKSCAN3 mRNA were analyzed via a website (http://www.cuilab.cn/sramp/); B: Diagram of the secondary structure of highly credible m⁶A binding sites. m⁶A: N6-methyladenosine.

Table 2 m⁶A sites of ZKSCAN3 mRNA.

Number	Position	Sequence context	Confidence
1	34	GUGCCCCGCCCCCCGGGGUCGGACUUUCGACACUUUUGUGACUGC	High
2	131	ACAGCUACAGUGAAACGGGAGAACUGCUUGGUUCGGGAUGGCUAG	High
3	180	UCAAGGGAAAGCACAACCUUGGACUCACACUCUGCAGAGGACCAG	Very high
4	198	UUGGACUCACACUCUGCAGAGGACCAGAUGGAGCUACUGGUCAUA	High
5	229	AGCUACUGGUCAUAAAGGUGGAACAAGAAGAGGCCUCCCCCUUGG	Moderate
6	534	GUGGCGCUGCUGGAGUACUUGGACAGGCAGCUGGAUGACACACCU	High
7	589	CAGAUGAUGACGAUGGGCAGGAACUCCUUUGCUCCAAGGCAGUGC	Moderate
8	824	CCCAGUCCUUUCCCCCAGAUGGACAGAGCAGGAUUCAUCUCAGAU	Very high
9	849	GAGCAGGAUUCAUCUCAGAUGAACCUCUACAAAGAUGGAAUGCAG	Moderate
10	906	AGCCUGGUUUCCCUGGAUCAGGACAUGCAGACUAAGGUUAGGGAC	Very high
11	914	UUCCCUGGAUCAGGACAUGCAGACUAAGGUUAGGGACUUGCCUCG	Moderate
12	927	GACAUGCAGACUAAGGUUAGGGACUUGCCUCGAGCUGAAGAAUAC	Very high
13	954	CCUCGAGCUGAAGAAUACAGGGACCAAAAGCCUGAGCAGACAGUG	High
14	971	CAGGGACCAAAAGCCUGAGCAGACAGUGUGCUUCCUGGGUGAAGA	Low
15	993	ACAGUGUGCUUCCUGGGUGAAGACACUGUCCCGAUUCCUACAGGU	Low
16	1347	GAAAAGCCCUACGAGUGUGAUGACUGUGGGAAAACCUUCACUCAG	High
17	1387	CUCAGAGCUGCAGCCUCCUUGAACAUCACAGAAUUCACACUGGGG	Low
18	1471	GGCGUAGCUCACAUCUUCUGAGACAUCAGAGGACCCAUACUGGGG	Moderate
19	1633	GUAGGAUUACAAGCCUUAUUGAACACCAAAAAGUACACACUGGUG	Low
20	1745	GAGAAGACACACGGGGAAGAAAACUUCUGUCACAGUGACCCCUGC	Moderate
21	1803	GUUGGUGUUCAACUGUCAUUGAACUGAAGCCACUCUGUAGUUCUU	High
22	1830	AGCCACUCUGUAGUUCUUAAUGACUGCAGAAGUCAUAGGCUGGGG	Very high
23	1985	ACAAGAGUCCUCACCCAUUGGAACUAAAUGGGCUUCCUGACUGUC	Very high

To confirm the role of m⁶A modification in the relationship between ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3, MeRIP-qPCR was performed with specific primers aimed at identifying potential m⁶A sites, and the enrichment of m⁶A-modified ZKSCAN3 mRNA in the AP group was significantly lower (Figure 7). This finding suggested that ALKBH5 can decrease the m⁶A modification of ZKSCAN3.

Figure 7 Enrichment levels of m⁶A modifications on ZKSCAN3 mRNA. A: qPCR was used to detect the m⁶A modification level of ZKSCAN3 mRNA; B: Schematic diagram of the sequences of primers used for ZKSCAN3 mRNA. ^aP < 0.05 vs saline group.

DISCUSSION

This study is the first to reveal the regulatory roles of ZKSCAN3 and m⁶A modification in impairing autophagy in AP. We found that ALKBH5 upregulated ZKSCAN3 expression by demethylating ZKSCAN3 inhibited autophagy, and promoted the release of inflammatory factors in a mouse cell model of AP.

Impaired autophagy is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms in AP; this process affects the functions of various organelles, such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, and disrupts the homeostasis of acinar cells[12,25]. Usually, autophagy degrades dysfunctional mitochondria during AP. Inhibition of autophagic flux by knocking out the ATG5 and ATG7 genes impaired the clearance of damaged mitochondria, further affecting generation the efficiency of ATP generation in acinar cells[26,27]. Moreover, autophagy maintains the stability of endoplasmic reticulum function. Knocking out the IκB kinase α gene leads to impaired autophagy, and the accumulated SQSTM1 further causes the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress and ultimately inducing AP[28]. Therefore, impaired autophagy may trigger or exacerbate other cellular pathological factors in AP. Furthermore, other pathological factors can also induce impaired autophagy. In arginine-treated mice, abnormal mitochondrial membrane leads to disrupted energy metabolism, which inhibits autophagic flux[29]. In ethanol-induced AP, endoplasmic reticulum stress causes folding and transport disorders of autophagy-related proteins[30]. Therefore, autophagy is interconnected with other pathological events during AP. Early autophagy-related intervention may help alleviate the malignant cycle caused by pathological factors.

ZKSCAN3 is currently recognized as a key autophagy inhibitor[15,31]. It affects the progression of various diseases by inhibiting autophagic flux. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ZKSCAN3 inhibits autophagy, leading to decreased degradation of local adhesion proteins and reducing the metastasis of HCC[32]. In addition, impaired autophagy mediated by ZKSCAN3 is closely related to sepsis-induced immunosuppression[33]. However, the role of ZKSCAN3 in the pathogenesis of AP is still uncertain. Our study first confirmed the high expression of ZKSCAN3 in cerulein-treated MPC-83 cells and the inhibitory effect on autophagy.

ZKSCAN3 functions mainly through nucleoplasmic translocation; when activated, it moves into the nucleus to suppress the transcription of autophagy related genes[15]. However, the upstream regulatory mechanism of ZKSCAN3 is unclear. A study revealed that SIRT1 deacetylates the lysine residues of ZKSCAN3 and promotes its shuttling between the nucleus and cytoplasm[34]. PKC and BRAF inhibitors can activate the inhibition of ZKSCAN3 via phosphorylation[35,36]. Although a few studies have revealed the upstream molecular mechanisms of ZKSCAN3, there is no related research focusing on this gene in AP.

As an important component of epigenetics, m⁶A modification plays an important regulatory role in autophagy. METTL3 promotes the binding of the RNA-binding protein HNRNPD to the precursor mRNA of TFEB, thus inhibiting autophagy[23]. In HCC, loss of METTL3 increases the stability of the FOXO3 mRNA 3'-UTR modification through a YTHDF1-dependent mechanism and activates autophagy[37]. Moreover, in testicular stromal cells, human chorionic gonadotropin activates autophagy flow by upregulating the expression of ALKBH5 and inhibiting the translation of the m⁶A-mediated protein PPM1A, thereby increasing testosterone secretion[38]. Therefore, m⁶A modification is widely involved in the regulation of autophagy in physiological and pathological processes. Among different types of diseases, the same type of m⁶A modification has different effects on autophagy, which is related to downstream molecular targets and the pathological and physiological stages of disease[39]. Currently, the regulatory role of m⁶A modification in autophagy has been well documented in various disorders[40], but its role in AP has rarely been studied. Bioinformatics study has shown that m⁶A-modified noncoding RNAs may participate in the pathological changes observed in AP, but there is still a lack of relevant experimental evidence[24]. This research is the first to demonstrate that ALKBH5 upregulates the expression of ZKSCAN3 by demethylation, thereby inhibiting autophagy in AP.

This study has several limitations. First, the experimental subjects were cell models, and further in vivo animal experiments need to be conducted. In addition, there are significant differences in homology between animal and human tissues. However, due to the lack of human pancreatic exocrine cell lines and a stable extraction method, experimental research on AP cannot be performed in depth in human tissue[41,42]. In clinical practice, identifying pancreatic, peripancreatic or infected necrotic tissues is difficult due to pancreatic juice corrosion or infection. Therefore, human pancreatic exocrine cell lines and tissues are essential for mechanistic research on AP in the future.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we first revealed the important roles of ZKSCAN3 and m⁶A modification in AP. In cerulein-treated MPC-83 cells, ALKBH5 upregulates ZKSCAN3 expression by demethylation, thereby inhibiting autophagic flux and aggravating the severity of AP. The results obtained in this study provide important insights into the mechanism of autophagy regulation in AP and offer reference value for future in-depth exploration and early intervention.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing annually, and its mortality rate is high. Impaired autophagy is a key factor in the occurrence and development of AP. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the regulatory mechanism of autophagy in AP.

Research motivation

Evidence has shown that ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3 can regulate autophagy in a variety of diseases, but there are no relevant studies on AP.

Research objectives

We aimed to explore the regulatory functions and mechanisms of autophagy mediated by ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3 in AP.

Research methods

The AP mouse cell line was constructed with cerulein, and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected via ELISA. Similarly, the expression of ALKBH5, ZKSCAN3 and autophagy-related proteins was detected via qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Microscopic manifestations of autophagy in the cell model were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to analyze the interaction between ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3.

Research results

The expression of ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3 was upregulated in the AP model, and the trend toward increased expression of autophagy-related genes suggested that autophagic flux was blocked in AP. Autophagy was improved by inhibiting the expression of ALKBH5 and ZKSCAN3. ZKSCAN3 mRNA has m⁶A binding sites, and ALKBH5 can upregulate its expression by demethylating ZKSCAN3, which inhibits autophagic flux, thereby aggravating inflammation in AP.

Research conclusions

ALKBH5 suppresses autophagic flux by demethylating the m⁶A site on ZKSCAN3 mRNA, consequently promoting the onset and progression of AP.

Research perspectives

We proved that ALKBH5 inhibits autophagy by upregulating ZKSCAN3, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of AP and providing new ideas for future research on autophagy regulation and early drug intervention in AP.