N6-Methyladenosine Modification Controls Circular RNA Immunity

Mammalian cells distinguish between foreign and endogenous circular RNAs (circRNAs), but the molecular basis is unknown. Chen et  al. identify N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification as a marker for “self.” Unmodified circRNA, but not m6A-modified circRNA, activates RIG-I in the presence of K63-polyubiquitin to cause MAVS filamentation, IRF3 dimerization, and interferon production.

Source: Molecular Cell - August 28, 2019 Category: Cytology Authors: Y. Grace Chen, Robert Chen, Sadeem Ahmad, Rohit Verma, Sudhir Pai Kasturi, Laura Amaya, James P. Broughton, Jeewon Kim, Cristhian Cadena, Bali Pulendran, Sun Hur, Howard Y. Chang Tags: Article Source Type: research