RNA N⁶-methyladenosine modifications in plants: molecular mechanisms and biological roles

RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modifications dynamically modulate RNA stability, splicing, and translation in plants, influencing developmental and stress response processes. In this review, we provide an overview of the key protein complexes involved in RNA m⁶A modification, including methyltransferases, demethylases, and m⁶A-binding proteins. We then demonstrate that m⁶A modulates vegetative growth, reproductive processes, responses to stresses, and hormone signaling. In agronomically important crops, RNA m⁶A modifications affect stress resilience, developmental timing, and quality traits, such as drought tolerance, salt resistance, male fertility, pollen viability, and fruit maturation. Furthermore, we elucidate the molecular mechanisms of RNA m⁶A. Finally, we explore advancements in m⁶A detection technologies, highlighting emerging trends and future directions. These strategies provide a conceptual framework for moving plant m⁶A research from descriptive epitranscriptomics toward trait-oriented crop and forest tree improvement.