Integrative MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq Analysis Reveals m⁶A-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation of Host-Virus Interactions during HSV-2 Infection

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a widespread epitranscriptomic modification that plays a critical role in regulating RNA metabolism and gene expression. Although m⁶A modification has been shown to play a role in the life cycles of various viruses, its involvement in HSV-2 infection has not yet been investigated.

In this study, we employed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to profile m⁶A modifications and transcriptomic changes in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1) infected with HSV-2. We identified 9,477 common m⁶A peaks and 15,842 differentially methylated peaks, with a predominant localization within coding sequences (CDS). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that differentially m⁶A-modified genes are involved in key biological processes, including gene expression, neural signaling, and immune responses.