The RNA-binding protein HuR (Elavl1) is essential for the B cell antibody response

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA by the RNA binding protein HuR (Elavl1) is required in B cells for the germinal centre reaction and for the production of class-switched antibodies in response to T-independent antigens. Transcriptome-wide examination of RNA isoforms, abundance and translation in HuR-deficient B cells, together with direct measurements of HuR-RNA interaction, revealed that HuR-dependent mRNA splicing affects hundreds of transcripts including the dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase (Dlst), a subunit of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (αKGDH). In the absence of HuR, defective mitochondrial metabolism results in high amounts of reactive oxygen species and B cell death. Our study shows how post-transcriptional processes control the balance of energy metabolism required for B cell proliferation and differentiation.