The Functions of N-methyladenosine (m6A) Modification on HIV-1 mRNA

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of RNA modifications, with some researchers focusing specifically on the connection between these modifications and viruses, as well as the impact they have on viral mRNA and its functionality. The most common type of RNA chemical modification is m6A, which involves the addition of a methyl group covalently to the N6 position of adenosine. It is a widely observed and evolutionarily conserved RNA modification. The regulation of m6A modification primarily involves methyltransferases (writers) and demethylases (erasers) and is mediated by m6A-binding proteins (readers). In HIV-1, m6A sites are predominantly located in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) and 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR). Additionally, m6A modifications are also present in the RRE RNA of HIV-1. This review provides a detailed account of the effects of these m6A modifications on HIV-1 functionality.