The plant epitranscriptome: revisiting pseudouridine and 2'-O-methyl RNA modifications

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Epigenetics
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Post-transcriptional RNA modifications are dynamic regulators of gene expression with potential for crop improvement.
• Over 172 RNA modifications exist, but their roles in plants, especially pseudouridine (Ψ) and 2 -O-methylation (Nm), remain largely unexplored.
• While N6-methyladenosine (m A) and 5-methylcytosine (m C) roles are known, Ψ and Nm functions in plant development are unclear due to technological limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current methodologies for mapping internal Ψ and Nm modifications in plant cells.
• To discuss the unique properties and known functions of Ψ and Nm in plants and other organisms.
• To highlight challenges and future directions in understanding and regulating the plant epitranscriptome.

Main Methods:

• Review of high-throughput technologies for mapping RNA modifications.
• Analysis of existing literature on pseudouridine (Ψ) and 2 -O-methylation (Nm) in plants and other model organisms.
• Discussion of qualitative and quantitative mapping limitations.

Main Results:

• Pseudouridine (Ψ) and 2 -O-methylation (Nm) are abundant RNA modifications with critical but understudied roles in plant development.
• Advances in high-throughput sequencing are enabling better mapping of these modifications.
• Significant technological gaps persist for comprehensive analysis of Ψ and Nm.

Conclusions:

• Understanding Ψ and Nm modifications is crucial for unlocking their potential in crop improvement.
• Further technological development is needed for accurate and efficient mapping of these RNA modifications.
• Regulating the plant epitranscriptome holds promise for enhancing agricultural productivity.