Scientists have made a major discovery about ADAR1—a protein that controls RNA-induced immune responses—paving the way for better treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.
ADAR1 converts adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA, a key process for preventing unwarranted immune responses, yet the molecular basis of this editing remained unclear.
A research team led by Rice University’s Yang Gao conducted detailed biochemical profiling and structural analysis of ADAR1.
The scientists found that the protein’s editing activity depends on RNA sequence, duplex length, and mismatches near the editing site.
High-resolution structures of ADAR1 bound to RNA reveal how it binds RNA, selects substrates and dimerizes.
“Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of how…