Pathogen-triggered m⁶A epitranscriptomic reprogramming is linked to host defense responses in the Piper...

Pathogen infection by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici induces dynamic m⁶A epitranscriptomic remodeling in black pepper, linking m⁶A-associated regulation with defense-related pathways including phenylpropanoid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) responses, and lignification. This study provides evidence for epitranscriptomic regulation of host defense in the Piper nigrum-Phytophthora capsici pathosystem. Foot rot (quick wilt) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici is a major constraint to the cultivation of Piper nigrum L. (black pepper). Although N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification has emerged as an important component of plant stress responses, its role in black pepper-P. capsici interactions remains unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamics and potential functional relevance of m⁶A during pathogen infection. Dot blot analysis and transcriptome-wide profiling (MeRIP-seq) indicated increased m⁶A enrichment in infected leaves compared with healthy controls. Spatiotemporal analyses further revealed enhanced m⁶A-associated signals at local infection sites as well as in distal tissues, suggesting infection-associated changes in tissues beyond the primary infection site. Pharmacological perturbation using 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZnep) and meclofenamic acid (MA) resulted in increased disease severity and enhanced pathogen colonization, suggesting that methylation-related processes may contribute to host resistance. However, given the pleiotropic effects of these inhibitors, the observed responses are interpreted as indirect evidence of methylation-associated regulation. Functional enrichment analysis showed that m⁶A-associated transcripts are linked to key defense-related processes, including phenylpropanoid metabolism, lignification, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated responses. Together, these findings suggest that m⁶A methylation may represent a dynamic regulatory layer in black pepper immunity and provide a foundation for future studies on epitranscriptomic regulation of plant defense during oomycete infection.