RNA modifications in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses

Abstract

Epitranscriptomic chemical modifications of RNAs have emerged as potent regulatory mechanisms in the process of plant stress adaptation. Currently, over 170 distinct chemical modifications have been identified in mRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Genetic and molecular studies have identified the genes responsible for addition and removal of chemical modifications from RNA molecules, which are known as "writers" and "erasers," respectively. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most prevalent chemical modification identified in eukaryotic mRNAs. Recent studies have identified m⁶A writers and erasers across different plant species, including Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), rice (Oryza sativa), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Accumulating discoveries have improved our understanding of the functions of RNA modifications in plant stress responses. This review highlights the latest research on RNA modification, emphasizing the biological and cellular roles of diverse chemical modifications of mRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in plant responses to environmental and hormonal signals. We also propose and discuss critical questions and future challenges for enhancing our understanding of the cellular and mechanistic roles of RNA modifications in plant stress responses. Integrating molecular insights into the regulatory roles of RNA modifications in stress responses with novel genome- and RNA-editing technologies will facilitate the breeding of stress-tolerant crops through precise engineering of RNA modifications.