FIG 1.

Various mechanisms by which m⁶A in viral RNA influences production of HIV-1. (A) In the nucleus, m⁶A present in the RRE of HIV-1 enhances viral mRNA export (51). In the cytoplasm, m⁶A in the 3′ UTR recruits YTHDF proteins and increases HIV-1 mRNA abundance while improving viral protein translation (49). (B) The m⁶A in HIV-1 genomic RNA leads to RNA degradation, a decrease in reverse transcription, and an overall decrease in infectivity. The m⁶A in the HIV-1 mRNA transcripts, however, results in an increase in viral gene expression (52).