RNA m6A reader YTHDF3/ UBE2G2 m6A methylation/ ACSL4 ubiquitination axis facilitated cell ferroptosis to mediate benzene hematotoxicity and the protective effect of melatonin

Chronic benzene exposure causes hematotoxicity, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification has emerged as a critical regulator in various diseases, but its role in benzene-induced hematotoxicity is unclear. In this study, m6A mRNA microarray analysis revealed widespread alterations in m6A methylation following benzene exposure. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment identified ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 G2 (UBE2G2) as a key m6A-methylated transcript associated with protein degradation pathways. Bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation (RIP-qPCR and MeRIP-qPCR) confirmed that the m6A reader YTHDF3 directly binds to UBE2G2 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner. Benzene exposure downregulated YTHDF3 expression, leading to decreased UBE2G2 mRNA stability and expression. Overexpression of YTHDF3 reversed this suppression, confirming the regulatory relationship. Functionally, reduced UBE2G2 impaired ubiquitination of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), resulting in its stabilization and upregulation, which promoted lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Notably, melatonin treatment ameliorated benzene-induced hematotoxicity by restoring the YTHDF3/UBE2G2/ACSL4 axis. In summary, this study identifies a novel epigenetic pathway—YTHDF3/m6A/UBE2G2/ACSL4—that mediates benzene-induced ferroptosis, and demonstrates the protective effect of melatonin through modulation of this axis.