N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification as a metabolic switch between plant cell survival and death in leaf senescence

Abstract

Crop losses caused by climate change and various (a)biotic stressors negatively affect agriculture and crop production. Therefore, it is vital to develop a proper understanding of the complex response(s) to (a)biotic stresses and delineate them for each crop plant as a means to enable translational research. In plants, the improvement of crop quality by m6A editing is believed to be a promising strategy. As a reaction to environmental changes, m6A modification showed a high degree of sensitivity and complexity. We investigated differences in gene medleys between dark-induced leaf senescence (DILS) and developmental leaf senescence in barley, including inter alia RNA modifications active in DILS. The identified upregulated genes in DILS include RNA methyltransferases of different RNA types, embracing enzymes modifying mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. We have defined a decisive moment in the DILS model which determines the point of no return, but the mechanism of its control is yet to be uncovered. This indicates the possibility of an unknown additional switch between cell survival and cell death. Discoveries of m6A RNA modification changes in certain RNA species in different stages of leaf senescence may uncover the role of such modifications in metabolic reprogramming. Nonetheless, there is no such data about the process of leaf senescence in plants. In this scope, the prospect of finding connections between the process of senescence and m6A modification of RNA in plants seems to be compelling.

Nanopore direct RNA sequencing provides additional insight into transcriptome differentiation during transition to the aquatic environment of amphibious liverwort Riccia fluitans L. (Marchantiales)

“…However, their function and structure in non-seed plants is poorly explored. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modi cation is a prevalent and dynamic modi cation in eukaryotic RNA, playing a crucial role in various physiological aspects of living organisms, including growth, development, and stress responses [7]. The m6A modi cation is involved in the regulation of mRNA stability, alternative splicing, translation, export, and maturation of microRNA, which can in uence the plant's ability to adapt to environmental changes [28].…”

“…Over the past few years, direct RNA sequencing accuracy and throughput have improved to the point that it can offer valuable biological insights. For example, it has revealed capping patterns in human mRNAs [5], detected novel pseudouridine sites in yeast [6], and quanti ed changing modi cation levels under stress [7]. As the technology continues advancing, direct sequencing of full-length native RNA strands promises to transform transcriptomics.…”

Epitranscriptome insights into Riccia fluitans L. (Marchantiophyta) aquatic transition using nanopore direct RNA sequencing

“…One of the main advantages of native RNA sequencing is ability detection of various transcripts modifications. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent and dynamic modification in eukaryotic RNA, playing a crucial role in various physiological aspects of living organisms, including growth, development, and stress responses [ 7 ]. The m6A modification is involved in the regulation of mRNA stability, alternative splicing, translation, export, and maturation of microRNA, which can influence the plant’s ability to adapt to environmental changes [ 32 ].…”

The role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications in plants exposed to non-essential metals

“…In mature Arabidopsis plants, attenuated methylation of adenosine results in perturbed development of vascular bundles, trichomes, roots, rosette leaves, roots and flowers ( Bodi et al., 2012 ). Recently, a link between m6A and senescence was identified ( Rudy et al., 2023 ). Alerted m6A patterns were recently reported in the plant’s response to stress ( Tang et al., 2023 ).…”