How heart RNA-modifying enzymes (m6A) may cause early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy
Role of cardiac m6A methyltransferases
Researchers are looking at whether two enzymes that change heart RNA (METTL3 and METTL14) lead to weak heart muscle in fetuses and young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299033 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the team will use mouse models to turn off two RNA-modifying enzymes in heart cells and see whether that causes the same type of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) seen before or after birth. They will study heart tissue with molecular biology, biochemistry, RNA analyses, and histology to see how RNA changes affect sarcomere proteins and heart structure. The group will compare their findings to what is known about human early-onset DCM to look for mechanisms that could explain unexplained cases in fetuses and infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with fetal or early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy, or families affected by unexplained infant DCM, would be the most relevant group for sample donation or future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart disease is adult-onset ischemic cardiomyopathy or clearly caused by non-RNA genetic defects may be less likely to benefit directly from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular causes of fetal DCM and point to new targets for diagnostics or future treatments to prevent or treat early heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown METTL3 and METTL14 affect adult heart injury and repair, but applying their roles to fetal DCM is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jang, Jihyun — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Jang, Jihyun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.