N-methyladenosine modification of viral RNA and its role during the recognition process of RIG-I-like receptors.

N-methyladenosine (mA) is the most abundant RNA chemical modification in eukaryotes and is also found in the RNAs of many viruses. In recent years, mA RNA modification has been reported to have a role not only in the replication of numerous viruses but also in the innate immune escape process. In this review, we describe the viruses that contain mA in their genomes or messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and summarize the effects of mA on the replication of different viruses. We also discuss how mA modification helps viral RNAs escape recognition by exogenous RNA sensors, such as retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), during viral invasion. Overall, the goal of our review is to summarize how mA regulates viral replication and facilitates innate immune escape. Furthermore, we elaborate on the potential of mA as a novel antiviral target.

Copyright © 2022 Li, Guo, Qi and Liao.