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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV
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Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

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The expanding role of m6A RNA modification in plant-virus dynamics: friend, foe, or both?

Jia-Hui Liu1,2,3, Hao Yu4, Cheng-Guo Duan5,6

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Plant Trait Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Advanced Biotechnology
|March 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications on plant viral RNAs play a dual role in infection, influencing viral RNA stability and decay. Understanding this epitranscriptomic switch offers new avenues for crop improvement and antiviral strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Plant molecular biology
  • Virology
  • Epitranscriptomics

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent mRNA modification regulating plant processes.
  • Its role in plant-virus interactions is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of m6A in plant-virus interactions.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which m6A affects viral RNA metabolism and host responses.

Main Methods:

  • MeRIP-seq (m6A-specific RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing)
  • LC-MS/MS (Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry)
  • Direct RNA sequencing

Main Results:

  • Multiple plant viruses exhibit m6A modifications on their RNAs.
  • Viral RNAs can acquire m6A via host methyltransferases, often mediated by viral proteins.
  • m6A exhibits dual functions: restricting infection by promoting RNA decay or enhancing replication/spread by stabilizing viral RNA.
  • Viruses manipulate host m6A machinery, and infection alters host m6A homeostasis, impacting immune and hormone pathways.

Conclusions:

  • m6A acts as a dynamic epitranscriptomic switch in plant-virus interactions.
  • m6A modulation presents potential for developing novel antiviral strategies and improving crop resilience.
Keywords:
EpigeneticsEpitranscriptomePlant virusPlant-virus interactionRNA modificationm6A

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