The N⁶-methyladenosine binding proteins YTH03/05/10 coordinately regulate rice plant height

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Plant Science
• Epigenetics

Background:

• N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a prevalent mRNA modification regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
• m⁶A function is mediated by specific binding proteins known as m⁶A readers.
• YT521-B homology (YTH) proteins are key m⁶A readers in mammals and plants, but their developmental roles are largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of rice YTH family proteins in plant growth and development.
• To determine if YTH proteins act as m⁶A readers in rice.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which YTH proteins regulate rice plant height.

Main Methods:

• Demonstration of specific binding of YTH03, YTH05, and YTH10 to m⁶A-containing RNAs.
• Generation and analysis of knockout mutants for YTH03, YTH05, and YTH10, including a triple mutant.
• Transcriptome analysis of the triple mutant to identify affected pathways.

Main Results:

• YTH03, YTH05, and YTH10 were confirmed as specific m⁶A-binding proteins in rice.
• Individual knockout of YTH genes resulted in reduced plant height.
• Simultaneous knockout of YTH03, YTH05, and YTH10 led to a severe dwarf phenotype, indicating functional redundancy.
• Transcriptome data suggested that reduced plant height in the triple mutant is linked to the brassinolide and diterpenoid synthesis pathways.

Conclusions:

• YTH03, YTH05, and YTH10 function as m⁶A readers in rice.
• These three YTH proteins redundantly regulate rice plant height.
• The regulation of plant height by these m⁶A readers involves hormonal pathways, specifically brassinolide and diterpenoid synthesis.