Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Methylated RNA Immunoprecipitation Assay to Study m5C Modification in Arabidopsis
Published on: May 14, 2020
Reading m6A marks in mRNA: A potent mechanism of gene regulation in plants
Thi Kim Hang Nguyen1, Hunseung Kang1
1Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Korea.
Abstract:
Modifications to RNA have recently been recognized as a pivotal regulator of gene expression in living organisms. More than 170 chemical modifications have been identified in RNAs, with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) being the most abundant modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. The addition and removal of m6A marks are catalyzed by methyltransferases (referred to as "writers") and demethylases (referred to as "erasers"), respectively. In addition, the m6A marks in mRNAs are recognized and interpreted by m6A-binding proteins (referred to as "readers"), which regulate the fate of mRNAs, including stability, splicing, transport, and translation. Therefore, exploring the mechanism underlying the m6A reader-mediated modulation of RNA metabolism is essential for a much deeper understanding of the epigenetic role of RNA modification in plants. Recent discoveries have improved our understanding of the functions of m6A readers in plant growth and development, stress response, and disease resistance. This review highlights the latest developments in m6A reader research, emphasizing the diverse RNA-binding domains crucial for m6A reader function and the biological and cellular roles of m6A readers in the plant response to developmental and environmental signals. Moreover, we propose and discuss the potential future research directions and challenges in identifying novel m6A readers and elucidating the cellular and mechanistic role of m6A readers in plants.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
The chromatin structure, especially...
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
RNA Stability

