RNA modification-mediated translational control in immune cells

Yujuan Zhang; Weiguo Hu; Hua-Bing Li

doi:10.1080/15476286.2023.2246256

RNA modification-mediated translational control in immune cells

RNA Biol. 2023 Jan;20(1):603-613. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2246256.

Authors

Yujuan Zhang^{1

2}, Weiguo Hu¹, Hua-Bing Li^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Geriatrics, Center for Immune-Related Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Yale University Institute for Immune Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

RNA modifications play a vital role in multiple pathways of mRNA metabolism, and translational regulation is essential for immune cells to promptly respond to stimuli and adapt to the microenvironment. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) methylation, which is the most abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotes, primarily functions in the regulation of RNA splicing and degradation. However, the role of m⁶Amethylation in translational control and its underlying mechanism remain controversial. The role of m⁶A methylation in translation regulation in immune cells has received relatively limited attention. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of current studies on the translational regulation of m⁶A modifications and recent advances in understanding the translational control regulated by RNA modifications during the immune response. Furthermore, we envision the possible pathways through which m⁶A modifications may be involved in the regulation of immune cell function via translational control.

Keywords: RNA modification; RNA regulators; immune cell; m6A; translation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Immune System
Methylation
Protein Biosynthesis*
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
RNA / metabolism
RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

RNA
RNA-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82030042/32070917/82111540277 to H-B.L.), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (no. 2021YFA1100800 to H.-B.L.), the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (nos. 20JC1417400, 201409005500 and 20JC1410100 to H.-B.L.), and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (nos. 2022XD047 and 2022JC001 to H.-B.L.).