A novel missense mutation of the NAT10 gene in a juvenile Schnauzer dog with chronic respiratory tract infections

Dissecting the oncogenic properties of essential RNA-modifying enzymes: a focus on NAT10

Chemical modifications of ribonucleotides significantly alter the physicochemical properties and functions of RNA. Initially perceived as static and essential marks in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA), recent discoveries unveiled a dynamic landscape of RNA modifications in messenger RNA (mRNA) and other regulatory RNAs. These findings spurred extensive efforts to map the distribution and function of RNA modifications, aiming to elucidate their distribution and functional significance in normal cellular homeostasis and pathological states. Significant dysregulation of RNA modifications is extensively documented in cancers, accentuating the potential of RNA-modifying enzymes as therapeutic targets. However, the essential role of several RNA-modifying enzymes in normal physiological functions raises concerns about potential side effects. A notable example is N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), which is responsible for acetylating cytidines in RNA. While emerging evidence positions NAT10 as an oncogenic factor and a potential target in various cancer types, its essential role in normal cellular processes complicates the development of targeted therapies. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the essential and oncogenic properties of NAT10. We discuss its crucial role in normal cell biology and aging alongside its contribution to cancer development and progression. We advocate for agnostic approaches to disentangling the intertwined essential and oncogenic functions of RNA-modifying enzymes. Such approaches are crucial for understanding the full spectrum of RNA-modifying enzymes and imperative for designing effective and safe therapeutic strategies.

NAT10 regulates neutrophil pyroptosis in sepsis via acetylating ULK1 RNA and activating STING pathway

Emerging evidence suggests that pyroptosis is involved in sepsis. However, the role of neutrophil pyroptosis in sepsis and the mechanisms remains elusive. We find that N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), an acetyltransferase responsible for the N⁴-acetylation of Cytidine (ac⁴C) in mRNA, is significantly downregulated in neutrophils from septic mice. Neutrophil-specific over-expression of NAT10 improves the survival and ameliorates lung injury in septic mice by inhibiting neutrophil pyroptosis. Notably, UNC-52-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is identified as the target of NAT10 in neutrophils. The decreased expression of NAT10 resultes in the decay of ULK1 transcripts and therefore the reduced expression of ULK1. As a regulator of STING phosphorylation, the loss of ULK1 enhances the activation of STING-IRF3 signaling and subsequently the elevated pyroptosis-inducing NLRP3 inflammasome in neutrophils. While over-expression of NAT10 restrains pyroptosis in neutrophils as well as septic lethality in mice by reversing the ULK1-STING-NLRP3 axis. The decreased expression of NAT10 are also observed in sepsis patients and its correlation with clinical severity is found. Collectively, our findings disclose that NAT10 is a negative regulator of neutrophil pyroptosis and its downregulation contributes to the progress of sepsis by exacerbating pyroptosis via the ULK1-STING-NLRP3 axis, therefore revealing a potential therapeutic target for sepsis.

The enzyme N-acetyltransferase NAT10 is a negative regulator of neutrophil pyroptosis and its downregulation contributes to the progress of sepsis by exacerbating pyroptosis via the ULK1-STING-NLRP3 pathway.

A novel missense mutation of the NAT10 gene in a juvenile Schnauzer dog with chronic respiratory tract infections

An 18-month-old intact male Schnauzer dog was evaluated for chronic, lifelong respiratory tract infections that were unresponsive to administration of a variety of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The dog developed persistent vomiting and diarrhea around 1 year of age that was minimally responsive to diet change, antibiotics, and corticosteroids. Despite supportive care, the dog was ultimately euthanized at 20 months of age due to persistent respiratory and gastrointestinal disease. Whole genome sequencing discovered a deleterious missense A/C mutation within the NAT10 gene, a gene essential for microtubule acetylation, appropriate ciliary development, and cytokinesis. Pipeline analysis of the genomes of 579 dogs from 55 breeds did not detect this mutation. Though never described in veterinary medicine, NAT10 mutation occurs in humans with ciliary aplasia, suggesting a pathophysiological mechanism for this dog and highlighting an associated mutation or possible novel genetic cause of chronic respiratory infections in dogs.