5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) RNA modification controls the innate immune response to virus infection by regulating type I interferons.

ABSTRACT: 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) is one of the most prevalent modifications of RNA, playing important roles in RNA metabolism, nuclear export, and translation. However, the potential role of RNA m⁵C methylation in innate immunity remains elusive. Here, we show that depletion of NSUN2, an m⁵C methyltransferase, significantly inhibits the replication and gene expression of a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses. Notably, we found that this antiviral effect is largely driven by an enhanced type I interferon (IFN) response. The antiviral signaling pathway is dependent on the cytosolic RNA sensor RIG-I but not MDA5. Transcriptome-wide mapping of m⁵C following NSUN2 depletion in human A549 cells revealed a marked reduction in the m⁵C methylation of sever

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9586267 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature