RNA N6-methyladenosine modification promotes auxin biosynthesis required for male meiosis in rice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.12.014
• Publication Date: 2022-01-12T23:43:05Z
• Authors: Peng Cheng; Shengjie Bao; Chengxiang Li; Jianhua Tong; Lisha Shen; Hao Yu
• Keywords: 580; 570; 0303 health sciences; Adenosine; Indoleacetic Acids; Gene Expression; Plant Development; RNA-Binding Proteins; Oryza; Flowers; Meiosis; 03 medical and health sciences; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Pollen; RNA; RNA, Messenger; Plant Proteins

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification confers an essential layer of gene regulation in living organisms, including plants; yet, the underlying mechanisms of its deposition on specific target mRNAs involved in key plant developmental processes are so far unknown. Here, we show that a core component of the rice m6A methyltransferase complex, OsFIP37, is recruited by an RNA-binding protein, OsFIP37-associated protein 1 (OsFAP1), to mediate m6A RNA modification on an auxin biosynthesis gene, OsYUCCA3, during microsporogenesis. This stabilizes OsYUCCA3 mRNA and promotes local auxin biosynthesis in anthers during male meiosis, which is essential for meiotic division and subsequent pollen development in rice. Loss of function of OsFAP1 causes dissociation of OsFIP37 with OsYUCCA3 and the resulting abolished m6A deposition on OsYUCCA3. Our findings reveal that OsFAP1-dependent m6A deposition on OsYUCCA3 by OsFIP37 constitutes a hitherto unknown link between RNA modification and hormonal control of male meiosis in plant reproductive development.