Zhou LL, Gao GT, Tang RK, Wang WH, Wang YY, Tian SP, Qin GZ*
PubYear : 2022
Volume :   Issue : 
Publication Name : Plant Biotechnology Journal
Page number : DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13792
Abstract : 

Dynamic chemical modifications in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) constitute an essential layer of gene regulation, among which N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) was unveiled to be the most abundant. m⁶A functionally modulates important biological processes in various mammals and plants through the regulation of mRNA metabolism, mainly mRNA degradation and translation efficiency. Physiological functions of m⁶A methylation are diversified and affected by intricate sequence contexts and m⁶A machineries. A number of studies have dissected the functional roles and the underlying mechanisms of m⁶A modifications in regulating plant development and stress responses. Recently, it was demonstrated that the human FTO-mediated plant m⁶A removal caused dramatic yield increases in rice and potato, indicating that modulation of m⁶A methylation could be an efficient strategy for crop improvement. In this review, we summarize the current progress concerning the m⁶A-mediated regulation of crop development and stress responses, and provide an outlook on the potential application of m6A epitranscriptome in the future improvement of crops.