31TENT5C is a non-canonical cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase (ncPAP) upregulated in 32 activated B cells and suppressing their proliferation. Herein we measured the global distribution of 33 poly(A) tail lengths in responsive B cells using a modified Nanopore direct RNA-sequencing 34 approach and revealed that TENT5C polyadenylates immunoglobulin mRNAs regulating their 35 steady-state levels. Consequently, TENT5C deficient B cells secrete less antibodies and KO mice 36 have diminished gamma globulin concentrations despite the increased number of CD138 high plasma 37 cells as a consequence of accelerated differentiation. TENT5C is explicitly upregulated in 38 differentiating plasma cells by innate signaling. Importantly, TENT5C deficiency in B lymphocytes 39 impairs the capacity of the secretory pathway through the reduction of ER volume and 40 downregulation of unfolded protein response. 41 Our findings define the role of the TENT5C enzyme in B cell physiology and discover the 42 first ncPAP engaged in the regulation of immunoglobulin mRNA poly(A) tails, thus serving as a 43 regulator of humoral immunity. 44 45 46 Introduction 47 Development of an adaptive humoral immune response requires activation of resting B cells 48 following antigen recognition. This process is associated with structural and functional changes 49 leading to the generation of high-affinity memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells (ASC). 50 Extensive B cell differentiation is characterized by the clonal expansion, somatic hypermutation 51 leading to affinity maturation, isotype switching, and formation of ASC or memory cells. At a cellular 52 level, this process involves the reorganization of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi 53 compartments to promote immunoglobulin synthesis, assembly and secretion (Lynes and Simmen, 54 2011; Wiest et al., 1990). These global physiological changes occurring during B cell differentiation 55 and activation are linked to broad changes in the transcriptomic profile which is controlled by the 56 coordinated action of regulatory networks of transcriptional factors such as NF-kB, BCL6, IRF4, and 57