APOBEC3A is the predominant global editor of cytosines in human mRNAs and in single-strand RNA viruses

Abstract APOBEC cytidine deaminases can convert cytosines to uracils in DNA as well as in RNA. The knowledge of DNA deamination motifs preferred by individual APOBECs revealed APOBEC3A as a major source of hypermutation in cancer. However, the extent and relative contribution of specific APOBECs into RNA editing remains unclear as their preferred RNA-editing motifs have not been defined. Here, using a parallel DNA and RNA sequencing strategy, coupled with motif-centered statistical analyses, we sought to identify mRNA edits and diagnostic editing motifs in yeast and human cells overexpressing individual APOBEC enzymes. This approach revealed a prevailing global enrichment for the uCg trinucleotide motif with even greater preference to the motif’s cytosines located in 3’ base of a loop within a hairpin-loop secondary structure when APOBEC3A, but not any other tested APOBEC, was overexpressed. Further analysis revealed the APOBEC3A-like diagnostic motif enrichment in editing calls from human cancers and blood cells. The APOBEC3A-like editing motif also prevailed in the RNA genomes of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic isolates, as well as in infectious persistent rubella viruses, and in polioviruses emerging from live-attenuated vaccine strains. Together, our results indicate that APOBEC3A is the predominant global APOBEC RNA editor with a potential to impact cell physiology and viral evolution.