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The RNA modification N6-methyladenosine as a novel regulator of the immune system

Nature Immunology volume 21, pages 501–512 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Protection from harmful pathogens depends on activation of the immune system, which relies on tight regulation of gene expression. Recently, the RNA modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been found to play an essential role in such regulation. Here, we summarize newly discovered functions of m6A in controlling various aspects of immunity, including immune recognition, activation of innate and adaptive immune responses, and cell fate decisions. We then discuss some of the current challenges in the field and describe future directions for uncovering the immunological functions of m6A and its mechanisms of action.

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Fig. 1: The cellular m6A machinery and its potential molecular functions.
Fig. 2: m6A regulates the innate immune response to infection through diverse mechanisms.
Fig. 3: m6A modification regulates cytokine receptor signaling.
Fig. 4: Dendritic cell functions are modulated by m6A modification.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Igor Ulitsky, Schraga Schwartz, Michal Schwartz and Amalie Grenov for providing valuable feedback. Work in the Stern-Ginossar lab on m6A is supported by a European Research Council starting grant (grant no. StG-2014-638142) and by the Minerva foundation. The Shulman lab is supported by the ERC grant (grant no. StG-2015-677713), Human Frontiers of Science Program (grant no. CDA-00023/2016), Israel Science Foundation (ISF) grant no. 1090/18 and the Morris Kahn Institute for Human Immunology. N.S.-G is an incumbent of the Skirball New Scientist Chair. N.S.-G. and Z.S. are members of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator Program.

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  1. Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

    Ziv Shulman

  2. Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

    Noam Stern-Ginossar

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  1. Ziv Shulman
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Shulman, Z., Stern-Ginossar, N. The RNA modification N6-methyladenosine as a novel regulator of the immune system. Nat Immunol 21, 501–512 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-020-0650-4

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