N6-Methyladenosine Modification of circRNA-ZNF638 Contributes to the Induced Activation of SHF Stem Cells Through miR-361-5p/Wnt5a Axis in Cashmere Goats

The study aimed to understand how N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification of circular RNA zinc finger protein 638 (circRNA-ZNF638) affects the activation of secondary hair follicle (SHF) stem cells in cashmere goats. The researchers found that m6A-circRNA-ZNF638 had higher transcription levels during the growth phase (anagen) of SHF compared to the resting phase (telogen) and positively influenced SHF stem cell activation. They discovered that m6A-circRNA-ZNF638 acts by sponging miR-361-5p, which in turn increases the expression of the Wnt5a gene, a process necessary for SHF stem cell activation. The study demonstrated that the m6A modification within circRNA-ZNF638 is essential for this regulatory mechanism, as shown by introducing m6A-deficient mutants. Thus, circRNA-ZNF638 is crucial for the proper activation of SHF stem cells in cashmere goats through the miR-361-5p/Wnt5a axis in an m6A-dependent manner.