Methylation is a prevalent post‐transcriptional modification that occurs in almost all RNA species. NSUN2, a nucleolar RNA methyltransferase, has been shown to methylate mRNAs encoding factors that control cell division and growth arrest, thereby affecting their stability and/or translation. Here, the author summarizes the recent progress in understanding NSUN2‐mediated mRNA methylation and its implications in cell proliferation and senescence. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:838–842. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1380This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry Translation > Translation Regulation RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability