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Genetic variants that edit risk of autoimmune diseases

A process called A-to-I RNA editing helps to prevent unwanted immune responses. Associations between genetic variants and this type of RNA editing now provide mechanistic insights into the genetic basis of autoimmune diseases.
  1. Kaur Alasoo

    1. Kaur Alasoo is at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, Estonia.

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The genetic variants that increase the risk of disease do so by exerting effects on RNA. Variants can alter the amount of RNA produced from a given gene. They can alter the transcribed RNA sequence itself, leading to changes either in the amino-acid sequence of the encoded protein or in how much of the RNA is removed through ‘splicing’ before it is translated into protein. Finally, variants can influence whether RNA molecules undergo A-to-I RNA editing1 — a process in which a subunit of RNA is changed from adenosine (A) to inosine (I). Writing in Nature, Li et al.2 present a comprehensive analysis of the effects of genetic variants on A-to-I RNA editing. Their work provides new insights into the mechanisms by which genetic variants mediate the risk of some immune-related diseases.

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Nature 608, 479-480 (2022)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-01641-y

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Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

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