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The m1A modification of tRNAs: a translational accelerator of T-cell activation

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 19, pages 1328–1329 (2022)Cite this article

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Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells exit the quiescent state and undergo rapid clonal expansion and differentiation [1]. This cell fate transition requires accelerated protein synthesis, which is regulated at both the transcriptional and translational levels [2, 3]. Compared with well-documented transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, the translational regulation of T-cell activation has not been fully elucidated. A recent study by Liu et al. published in Nature Immunology suggested that the tRNA m1A58 modification is an important regulatory mechanism of T-cell activation [4].

During translation, tRNAs play important roles in decoding mRNA. In addition to their abundance, the modification and aminoacylation (charge) status of tRNAs is essential to ensure translation efficiency and fidelity [5, 6]. To date, more than 170 RNA modifications have been documented, and most of them have been identified in tRNAs [7]. On average, one tRNA molecule harbors 13 modifications that affect protein synthesis through several mechanisms, including tRNA stability, codon recognition, and aminoacylation capability [5]. Among these modifications, N1-methyladenosine (m1A), which is typically found at position 58 in cytoplasmic tRNA and is catalyzed by the TRMT6/61 A complex to enhance translation initiation and elongation, is among the most conserved [8]. A recent study reported that tRNA m1A58 methylation was required for liver tumorigenesis, but its physiological roles in T-cell activation remained to be investigated [9].

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate helpful discussions with Dr. Qin Tian and Dr. Yifei Wang.

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  1. Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China

    Cheng Chen & Lilin Ye

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  1. Cheng Chen
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Correspondence to Lilin Ye.

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Chen, C., Ye, L. The m1A modification of tRNAs: a translational accelerator of T-cell activation. Cell Mol Immunol 19, 1328–1329 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-022-00942-6

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