Epitranscriptomic regulation through phase separation in plants

Abstract

Epitranscriptomic regulation has emerged as a crucial layer of gene control where RNA modifications, particularly N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), introduce complexity and versatility to gene regulation. Increasing evidence suggests that epitranscriptomic regulation through phase separation plays critical roles in mediating RNA metabolism during plant development and stress responses. m⁶A-associated biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation act as dynamic cellular hotspots where m⁶A effectors, RNAs, and other regulatory proteins coalesce to facilitate RNA regulation. Moreover, m⁶A modulates condensate assembly. Herein, I summarize the current understanding of how m⁶A- and m⁶A effector-mediated formation of biomolecular condensates mediates plant development and stress adaptation. I also discuss several working models for m⁶A-associated biomolecular condensates and highlight the prospects for future research on epitranscriptomic regulation through phase separation.

Keywords: biomolecular condensates; epitranscriptome; m(6)A; phase separation; plant development; stress responses.