From immunity to identity to exaptation: RNA-based self/non-self discrimination across cellular life
- 1State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- 2Yantai Institute of China Agricultural University, Yantai, Shandong 264670 China
- 3International Cancer Institute, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
Abstract
Distinguishing self from non-self is a universal imperative of life, where such discrimination at RNA level is both evolutionarily rational and urgently required to maintain homeostasis. Across kingdoms, organisms have evolved distinct yet convergent strategies to achieve this goal. Animals broadly employ A-to-I mRNA editing and other modifications as self-tags; plants and fungi mainly rely on RNA interference, spatial segregation, and m6A methylation; and prokaryotes utilize CRISPR-Cas immunity as a programmable analog of self-recognition. Despite their efficacy, these systems harbor intrinsic vulnerabilities that viruses might exploit through mimicry and modification theft, perpetuating a dynamic host-pathogen arms race. During evolution, these defense mechanisms might be exapted for new roles in hosts: A-to-I editing diversified proteomes, and m6A methylation became a global regulator of mRNA fate. Together, these observations reveal that mechanisms born from conflict might be repurposed to drive molecular innovation, linking self-recognition, adaptation, and the evolution of complexity.
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BibTeX
@article{xie2026from,
title = {{From immunity to identity to exaptation: RNA-based self/non-self discrimination across cellular life}},
author = {Qiuhua Xie and Ling Ma and Ziyi Wang and Yuange Duan and Qi Cao},
journal = {BMC Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12865-026-00887-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12865-026-00887-9},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From immunity to identity to exaptation: RNA-based self/non-self discrimination across cellular life
AU - Qiuhua Xie
AU - Ling Ma
AU - Ziyi Wang
AU - Yuange Duan
AU - Qi Cao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/27
JO - BMC Immunology
DO - 10.1186/s12865-026-00887-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12865-026-00887-9
AB - Distinguishing self from non-self is a universal imperative of life, where such discrimination at RNA level is both evolutionarily rational and urgently required to maintain homeostasis. Across kingdoms, organisms have evolved distinct yet convergent strategies to achieve this goal. Animals broadly employ A-to-I mRNA editing and other modifications as self-tags; plants and fungi mainly rely on RNA interference, spatial segregation, and m6A methylation; and prokaryotes utilize CRISPR-Cas immunity as a programmable analog of self-recognition. Despite their efficacy, these systems harbor intrinsic vulnerabilities that viruses might exploit through mimicry and modification theft, perpetuating a dynamic host-pathogen arms race. During evolution, these defense mechanisms might be exapted for new roles in hosts: A-to-I editing diversified proteomes, and m6A methylation became a global regulator of mRNA fate. Together, these observations reveal that mechanisms born from conflict might be repurposed to drive molecular innovation, linking self-recognition, adaptation, and the evolution of complexity.
SN - 1471-2172
ER -