Pathogen-induced m6A dynamics affect plant immunity

Wil Prall, Arsheed Hussain Sheikh, Jeremie Bazin, Jean Bigeard, Marilia Almeida Trapp, Martin Crespi, Heribert Hirt, Brian D Gregory

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA mediated by methylation at the N6 position of adenine (N6-methyladenosine (m6A)) has profound effects on transcriptome regulation in plants. Focused studies across eukaryotes offer glimpses into the processes governed by m6A throughout developmental and disease states. However, we lack an understanding of the dynamics and the regulatory potential of m6A during biotic stress in plants. Here, we provide a comprehensive look into the effects of m6A on both the short-term and long-term response to pathogen signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We demonstrate that m6A-deficient plants are more resistant to bacterial and fungal pathogen infections and have altered immune responses. Furthermore, m6A deposition is specifically coordinated on transcripts involved in defense and immunity prior to and proceeding the pathogen signal flagellin. Consequently, the dynamic modulation of m6A on specific stress-responsive transcripts is correlated with changes in abundance and cleavage of these transcripts. Overall, we show that the m6A methylome is regulated prior to and during simulated and active pathogen stress and functions in the coordination and balancing of normal growth and pathogen responses.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalThe Plant Cell
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 23 2023

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2023-08-31

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science
  • Cell Biology

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