RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation in plants

Chemical modifications of RNA, such as N ⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression and chromatin dynamics in eukaryotes. Research on RNA modifications in plants has primarily focused on mRNAs and their post-transcriptional roles. Recent studies in mammals have shown that various chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs) regulate chromatin structure and transcription, but the presence and functions of plant caRNAs remain largely unexplored. This review systematically introduces the current mechanisms and detection methods of RNA modifications and their roles in epigenetic regulation, with a specific focus on caRNAs in plants. Finally, we offer future perspectives, emphasizing that a deeper understanding of the epitranscriptomic regulation of caRNAs will be essential for decoding plant chromatin dynamics and may open new avenues for crop improvement.