Pathogen-induced m6A dynamics affect plant immunity
Wil Prall1, Arsheed H Sheikh2, Jeremie Bazin3
1Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,USA.
Abstract:
Posttranscriptional regulation of mRNA mediated by methylation at the N6 position of adenine (N6-methyladenosine [m6A]) has profound effects on transcriptome regulation in plants. Focused studies across eukaryotes offer glimpses into the processes governed by m6A throughout developmental and disease states. However, we lack an understanding of the dynamics and the regulatory potential of m6A during biotic stress in plants. Here, we provide a comprehensive look into the effects of m6A on both the short-term and long-term responses to pathogen signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We demonstrate that m6A-deficient plants are more resistant to bacterial and fungal pathogen infections and have altered immune responses. Furthermore, m6A deposition is specifically coordinated on transcripts involved in defense and immunity prior to and proceeding the pathogen signal flagellin. Consequently, the dynamic modulation of m6A on specific stress-responsive transcripts is correlated with changes in abundance and cleavage of these transcripts. Overall, we show that the m6A methylome is regulated prior to and during simulated and active pathogen stress and functions in the coordination and balancing of normal growth and pathogen responses.
Insights
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in plants regulates gene expression during pathogen attacks. Plants lacking m6A show enhanced resistance to infections, highlighting m6A
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Epigenetics
- Plant-pathogen interactions
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a crucial posttranscriptional regulator of mRNA in eukaryotes.
- While m6A's role in plant development and disease is known, its dynamics during biotic stress remain unclear.
- Understanding m6A regulation during plant-pathogen interactions is vital for agricultural resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate the role and dynamics of m6A in plant responses to pathogen signaling.
- To determine the impact of m6A deficiency on plant immunity against bacterial and fungal pathogens.
- To elucidate the regulatory potential of m6A in coordinating growth and defense responses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of m6A modification patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana during simulated and active pathogen stress.
- Assessment of m6A-deficient plant phenotypes in response to bacterial and fungal infections.
- Correlation analysis between m6A dynamics, transcript abundance, and transcript cleavage.
Main Results:
- m6A-deficient Arabidopsis plants exhibit increased resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens.
- Altered immune responses observed in m6A-deficient plants.
- m6A deposition is specifically coordinated on defense-related transcripts before and after pathogen signal perception (e.g., flagellin).
Conclusions:
- The m6A methylome is dynamically regulated in response to pathogen stress in plants.
- m6A plays a critical role in modulating plant defense and immunity.
- Dynamic m6A modulation balances normal growth with pathogen defense responses.
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