RNA modification-mediated translational control in immune cells.

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.