EpiDM · Uncovering the role of the m6A epitranscriptome in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1)

RNA metabolism is regulated by multiple post-transcriptional layers, primarily orchestrated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). When disrupted these processes can lead to diseases like myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare inherited disorder affecting skeletal muscle. DM1 is caused by an expansion of trinucleotides in the DMPK gene, leading to accumulation of RNA foci and deregulation of RNA metabolism. The mutation was identified in 1992 but aspects of its pathophysiology are not understood and there is no cure.A promising area of research is the potential alteration of the m6A epitranscriptome in DM1. A major discovery in gene regulation is the presence of modified nucleotides like N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which affect RNA fate. Defects in m6A have been linked to various diseases but its role in muscular dystrophies including DM1 remains unexplored. m6A is regulated by writers that add and erasers that remove the modification. In DM1, the erasers FTO and ALKBH5 are deregulated. Once added m6A marks are recognised by readers which mediate their cellular effects. m6A readers are crucial to skeletal muscle physiology but their involvement in DM1 is unknown.EpiDM project hypothesises that altered m6A demethylases activity leads to hypermethylation, impacting RNA function and muscle physiology. Its objectives are to 1) map and characterize m6a’s role in DM1, 2) identify m6A readers involved in the disease and 3) explore the therapeutic potential of targeting m6A methylation to restore muscle function.My expertise will be combined with the host lab’s by leveraging DM1 models and next-generation sequencing techniques to study m6A and RBPs, and developing innovative therapies. By pioneering this research EpiDM will uncover the regulation of novel RNA pathways in skeletal muscle, advancing understanding of DM1 and identifying new therapeutic targets for muscular dystrophies. Finally it aligns with European initiatives focused on rare diseases and epitranscriptomics.