A highly conserved A-to-I RNA editing event within the glutamate-gated chloride channel GluClα

RNA editing regulates protein translation without altering the genomic DNA sequence by converting adenosine (A) to inosine (I), which is read as guanosine (G) by the translation machinery. This modification can alter the genetic code and, consequently, the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein. In a study published in Science Advances, Prof. Galit Shohat-Ophir and colleagues investigated the effects of an RNA editing site in the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluClα) of Drosophila melanogaster. They identified an editing-induced isoleucine-to-valine substitution at position 27 of GluClα. Preventing this modification impaired olfactory processing in projection neurons, reducing the flies’ sensitivity to odors and diminishing their responsiveness to pheromones, which are essential for social interactions. These findings establish a direct link between an evolutionarily conserved RNA modification, neuronal function, and behavior.