RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation in plants

Xinran Zhang; Jiangbo Wei

doi:10.1016/j.abiote.2026.100020

RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation in plants

aBIOTECH. 2026 Jan 12;7(2):100020. doi: 10.1016/j.abiote.2026.100020. eCollection 2026 Jun.

Authors

Xinran Zhang¹, Jiangbo Wei^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117544, Singapore.
² Department of Biological Sciences, Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117544, Singapore.

Abstract

Chemical modifications of RNA, such as N ⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression and chromatin dynamics in eukaryotes. Research on RNA modifications in plants has primarily focused on mRNAs and their post-transcriptional roles. Recent studies in mammals have shown that various chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs) regulate chromatin structure and transcription, but the presence and functions of plant caRNAs remain largely unexplored. This review systematically introduces the current mechanisms and detection methods of RNA modifications and their roles in epigenetic regulation, with a specific focus on caRNAs in plants. Finally, we offer future perspectives, emphasizing that a deeper understanding of the epitranscriptomic regulation of caRNAs will be essential for decoding plant chromatin dynamics and may open new avenues for crop improvement.

Keywords: Chromatin-associated RNAs; Epitranscriptome; N6-methyladenosine; Plant chromatin regulation.

Publication types

Review