AlkB RNA demethylase homologues and N⁶ -methyladenosine are involved in Potyvirus infection.

ABSTRACT: Proteins of the alkylation B (AlkB) superfamily show RNA demethylase activity removing methyl adducts from N⁶ -methyladenosine (m⁶ A). m⁶ A is a reversible epigenetic mark of RNA that regulates human virus replication but has unclear roles in plant virus infection. We focused on Potyvirus-the largest genus of plant RNA viruses-and report here the identification of AlkB domains within P1 of endive necrotic mosaic virus (ENMV) and an additional virus of a putative novel species within Potyvirus. We show that Nicotiana benthamiana m⁶ A levels are reduced by infection of plum pox virus (PPV) and potato virus Y (PVY). The two potyviruses lack AlkB and the results suggest a general involvement of RNA methylation in potyvirus infection and evolution. Me

SUBMITTER: Yue J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9452765 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature