Emerging roles of the epitranscriptome in parasitic protozoan biology and pathogenesis

Various types of RNA modification in parasites affect parasite virulence, viability, differentiation and reproduction. Epitranscriptomics represents a novel regulatory layer and a new hallmark in parasites.Prediction of parasite homologs of the regulators of RNA modifications reported in humans facilitates prediction of the types of RNA modification and related regulators in parasites and elucidates the evolution of the parasitic epitranscriptional machinery.Multiple forms of crosstalk affect epitranscriptome variations and may be an important mechanism for the regulation of RNA modifications in parasites.RNA modifications of host cells are also an important component of the host–parasite interface, which is involved in the upregulation of host antiparasite immunity and influences the transmission and progression of parasitic diseases. RNA modifications (epitranscriptome) – such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ) – modulate RNA processing, stability, interaction, and translation, thereby playing critical roles in the development, replication, virulence, metabolism, and life cycle adaptations of parasitic protozoa. Here, we summarize potential homologs of the major human RNA modification regulatory factors in parasites, outline current knowledge on how RNA modifications affect parasitic protozoa, highlight the regulation of RNA modifications and their crosstalk, and discuss current progress in exploring RNA modifications as potential drug targets. This review contributes to our understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation of parasitic protozoa biology and pathogenesis and provides new perspectives for the treatment of parasitic diseases. RNA modifications (epitranscriptome) – such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ) – modulate RNA processing, stability, interaction, and translation, thereby playing critical roles in the development, replication, virulence, metabolism, and life cycle adaptations of parasitic protozoa. Here, we summarize potential homologs of the major human RNA modification regulatory factors in parasites, outline current knowledge on how RNA modifications affect parasitic protozoa, highlight the regulation of RNA modifications and their crosstalk, and discuss current progress in exploring RNA modifications as potential drug targets. This review contributes to our understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation of parasitic protozoa biology and pathogenesis and pro