| First Author | Hwang SS | Year | 2020 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 367 |
| Issue | 6483 | Pages | 1255-1260 |
| PubMed ID | 32165587 | Mgi Jnum | J:286159 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6400081 | Doi | 10.1126/science.aax0194 |
| Citation | Hwang SS, et al. (2020) mRNA destabilization by BTG1 and BTG2 maintains T cell quiescence. Science 367(6483):1255-1260 |
| abstractText | T cells maintain a quiescent state prior to activation. As inappropriate T cell activation can cause disease, T cell quiescence must be preserved. Despite its importance, the mechanisms underlying the "quiescent state" remain elusive. Here, we identify BTG1 and BTG2 (BTG1/2) as factors responsible for T cell quiescence. BTG1/2-deficient T cells show an increased proliferation and spontaneous activation due to a global increase in messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance, which reduces the threshold to activation. BTG1/2 deficiency leads to an increase in polyadenylate tail length, resulting in a greater mRNA half-life. Thus, BTG1/2 promote the deadenylation and degradation of mRNA to secure T cell quiescence. Our study reveals a key mechanism underlying T cell quiescence and suggests that low mRNA abundance is a crucial feature for maintaining quiescence. |
