Regulatory roles of RNA modifications in plant development and fruit ripening

The emerging field of epitranscriptomics has revolutionized our understanding of post-transcriptional regulation in plant systems. This review focuses on cutting-edge discoveries in the area of RNA modification, with a particular emphasis on the N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A)-mediated regulatory networks that govern plant development and fruit maturation. We systematically summarize the spatiotemporal patterns of RNA modifications and their integration into phytohormone signaling cascades and responses to environmental stimuli. Advanced epitranscriptome sequencing platforms have identified evolutionarily conserved modification signatures across angiosperm species, while simultaneously revealing species-specific regulatory architectures. Despite substantial progress, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie RNA modifications, especially those other than m⁶A, remains limited. We propose an innovative roadmap that combines CRISPR-based writer/eraser manipulation, single-cell spatial epitranscriptomics, and synthetic biology approaches to harness RNA modification networks for precision agriculture. We also underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration that integrates findings from biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science to decode the plant epitranscriptome. To enable precise control of postharvest physiology, future priorities should include the development of biosensors for specific modification types, the engineering of RNA modification-dependent translation control systems, and the development of RNA epigenetic editing tools.