RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modifications and the Immune Response

N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most important modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in higher eukaryotes. Modulation of m(6)A modifications relies on methyltransferases and demethylases. The discovery of binding proteins confirms that the m(6)A modification has a wide range of biological effects and significance at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. In recent years, techniques for investigating m(6)A modifications of RNA have developed rapidly. This article reviews the biological significance of RNA m(6)A modifications in the innate immune response, adaptive immune response, and viral infection.