To assess the m6A methylome in the anterior capsule of the lens of high myopia patients. MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq were performed to identify differences in the m6A methylomes and gene expression between anterior capsule of the lens of simple nuclear cataract patients (N) and nuclear cataract patients with high myopia (G). Expression of m6A-related enzymes was confirmed by quantitative real-time-PCR. ALKBH5 was downregulated in G. The observed m6A peak was identical to the conserved RRACH gmotif and was markedly correlated with two distinct coordinates. Differentially methylated genes were enriched in some pathways regulating the formation of extracellular matrix. These findings suggest that upregulation of m6A methylation may change fundus anatomy by regulating the composition of the extracellular matrix through encoding protein.
Keywords: High myopia; MeRIP-seq; extracellular matrix; m6A methylome.