Open AccessThe m 6 A reader YTHDC2 is essential for escape from KSHV SOX-induced RNA decay
Author(s) -
Daniel Macveigh-Fierro,
Angelina Cicerchia,
Ashley Cadorette,
Vasudha Sharma,
Mandy Muller
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2116662119
Subject(s) - rna , messenger rna , nuclease , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , gene , virology , genetics
Significance N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) modifications play important roles in regulating RNA fate, in particular during viral infection. However, it remains unclear whether m6 A modifications can also act in any antiviral capacity. During Kaposi’s sarcoma–associated herpesvirus infection, while most messenger RNA are degraded by the viral nuclease SOX, a subset of transcripts stringently escape degradation. Our study reveals that one such transcript, interleukin-6, acquires an m6 A modification during the course of infection, which allows it to recruit the m6 A reader YTHDC2. We show that this m6 A modification along with the concomitant recruitment of YTHDC2 is essential to provide protection from SOX-induced decay. This suggests that m6 A modifications can contribute to the host efforts to regain control of the gene expression environment.