N-acetyltransferase 10 catalyzes RNA N-acetylcytidine to regulate photosynthesis in rice
Linjun Cai, Bin Li, Qiting Zhou, Juan Du, Wenxing Yang, Lisha Shen, Chongsheng He
Abstract
N 4 -acetylcytidine (ac 4 C) is a novel mRNA modification that enhances RNA stability and translation in mammals and plants. We previously identified ac 4 C in Arabidopsis , introduced by two homologs of human N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10). While ac 4 C influences leaf development in Arabidopsis , its role in rice is unclear. In this study, we identify OsNAT10 as the ac 4 C writer in rice. osnat10 mutants show developmental defects, including shorter roots, fewer tillers, and lower yield. Compared with wild type, ac 4 C-modified genes are less abundant in osnat10 , particularly those related to photosynthesis. Additionally, osnat10 exhibits decreased photosynthetic capacity and reduced RNA stability and translation efficiency of ac 4 C target genes, like LIGHT-INDUCED RICE 1 ( LIR1 ). Overexpressing OsLIR1 partially rescues osnat10 defects, underscoring OsNAT10's role in photosynthesis regulation. Our findings highlight ac 4 C's crucial function in photosynthesis and plant development, offering insights into epitranscriptomic modifications for crop improvement.