# Identification and Regulation of RNA Modification by HIV infection and Methamphetamine

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $616,347

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Post-transcriptional gene regulation by RNA modification is an emerging concept because a
diverse set of modified nucleotides are found in mRNA sequences. The overall objective of this
proposal is to delineate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which HIV-1 infection and
methamphetamine (MA) alter host transcriptional and translational programs to cause
dysfunction of immune system. Our central hypothesis is that HIV-1 infection and use of MA
alter the dynamics of the viral and host epitranscriptomes to regulate host-pathogen
interactions. Recent findings from the Rana lab support this notion by showing that HIV-1
infection has profound effects on the topology and function of methylated RNAs of both viral and
human RNAs. m6A abundance in HIV-1 RNA is controlled by the host methyltransferases
METTL3 and METTL14 and the demethylases ALKBH5 and FTO. However, fundamental and
critical questions regarding epitranscriptome regulation and its effects on HIV-1 pathogenesis
remain to be addressed. To carry out these studies, we developed in vitro infection models as
well as biochemical and functional characterization of RNA modifying complexes. Our project
has three specific aims: Aim 1: Define the dynamics and mapping of viral and host RNA
modifications by HIV infection and methamphetamine (MA) exposure. Aim 2: Determine how
RNA modifications influence HIV-1 pathogenesis. Aim 3: Determine the dynamics and specific
functions of RNA modifying machinery. Successful completion of these aims will significantly
enhance our understanding of the epitranscriptomic regulation of gene expression caused by
HIV infection. In addition, these results will provide fundamental understanding of the molecular
mechanisms that are altered by MA use leading to immune dysfunctions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9880419
- **Project number:** 5R01DA046171-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** TARIQ M RANA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $616,347
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9880419

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9880419, Identification and Regulation of RNA Modification by HIV infection and Methamphetamine (5R01DA046171-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9880419. Licensed CC0.

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