MHC Class III RNA Binding Proteins and Immunity

Here we review data suggestive of a role for RNA-binding proteins in vertebrate immunity. We focus on the products of genes found in the class III region of the Major Histocompatibility Complex. Six of these genes, DDX39B (aka BAT1), DXO, LSM2, NELFE, PRRC2A (aka BAT2), and SKIV2L, encode RNA-binding proteins with clear roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation and RNA surveillance. These genes are likely to have important functions in immunity and are associated with autoimmune diseases.