Silencing of YTHDF1 Attenuates Cerebral Stroke by Inducing PTEN Degradation and Activating the PTEN/AKT/mTOR Pathway

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation regulates pathological processes of cerebral stroke, which can lead to disability and death. Herein, we explored the role of a m6A "reader" YTHDF1 in stroke. MCAO (middle cerebral artery occlusion) rat model and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced neurocytes cell model were established. TTC staining assay assessed the infarction area and TUNEL assay analyzed Apoptosis. Neurological score was analyzed to evaluate the brain function. Cell counting kit-8, LDH release, and flow cytometry assessed cellular proliferation, cell death, and cell Apoptosis in vitro. The expression of YTHDF1, PTEN, and the factors in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was measured using western blot. The interaction between YTHDF1 and PTEN was confirmed luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The results indicated that YTHDF1 was upregulated in the brain tissues of MCAO mice and H/R-treated cells. Knockdown of YTHDF1 inhibited the infarct area, neuron damage, and Apoptosis. Additionally, YTHDF1 depletion promoted viability and inhibited Apoptosis of H/R-treated cells. Moreover, YTHDF1 inactivated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Mechanistically, YTHDF1 binds to PTEN to increase PTEN mRNA stability. Overexpressing PTEN rescued the effects of YTHDF1 depletion on cell viability and Apoptosis. In conclusion, silencing of YTHDF1 decelerated the progression of cerebral stroke through promoting PTEN degradation and activating the PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway, suggesting that YTHDF1 has the potential to be a therapeutic target for stroke.

Ischemia–reperfusion injury; M6A methylation; PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway; Stroke; YTHDF1.