Light-induced m6A RNA modification regulates anthocyanin accumulation during rose petal coloration

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Epigenetics
• Flower coloration

Background:

• Light is a key regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis, influencing flower color.
• The role of epigenetic modifications, particularly m6A, in light-induced flower coloration is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the involvement of m6A epigenetic modifications in light-induced petal coloration in roses.
• To elucidate the mechanism by which light regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis through m6A modification of the RhANS gene.

Main Methods:

• Integrated analysis of m6A methylome and transcriptome in rose petals under different light conditions.
• Gene silencing of RhALKBH10A/10B and RhANS to assess their roles in anthocyanin accumulation.
• Analysis of m6A modification patterns in the coding sequence (CDS) and 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of RhANS mRNA.

Main Results:

• Direct light induced m6A modification in the RhANS CDS and repressed it in the 3'UTR, enhancing mRNA stability and translation.
• Light repressed the expression of m6A demethylase genes RhALKBH10A and RhALKBH10B.
• Silencing RhALKBH10A/10B increased anthocyanin accumulation by altering RhANS m6A modification patterns, while silencing RhANS abolished this effect.

Conclusions:

• Light modulates m6A modifications on RhANS mRNA to regulate its stability and translation efficiency.
• This m6A-mediated regulation of RhANS is a crucial mechanism driving light-induced petal coloration in roses.
• The findings reveal a novel epigenetic pathway controlling plant pigment biosynthesis in response to environmental cues.