Ribosomal RNA 2'--methylations regulate translation by impacting ribosome dynamics.

SignificanceThe presence of RNA chemical modifications has long been known, but their precise molecular consequences remain unknown. 2'--methylation is an abundant modification that exists in RNA in all domains of life. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) represents a functionally important RNA that is heavily modified by 2'--methylations. Although abundant at functionally important regions of the rRNA, the contribution of 2'--methylations to ribosome activities is unknown. By establishing a method to disturb rRNA 2'--methylation patterns, we show that rRNA 2'--methylations affect the function and fidelity of the ribosome and change the balance between different ribosome conformational states. Our work links 2'--methylation to ribosome dynamics and defines a set of critical rRNA 2'--methylations required for ribosome biogenesis and others that are dispensable.