m(6)A mRNA Modification as a New Layer of Gene Regulation in Plants

摘要

N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most prevalent mRNA modification in higher eukaryotes. Technical advances in m(6)A detection and mapping have allowed a comprehensive understanding of transcriptome-wide distribution of the RNA modification and its biological impacts especially in model plant systems. The m(6)A modification is reversibly catalyzed by antagonistic actions of m(6)A writers and erasers and the mRNA modification is biologically interpreted by m(6)A readers. In this review, we summarized the recent understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying m(6)A deposition and m(6)A-regulated biological functions in diverse aspects of plant development. We also illustrated the evolutionary history of m(6)A modification components and discussed future perspectives of mRNA modification in plants.