Regulation of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA reader protein OsECT3 activity by lysine acetylation in cold stress response in rice (PRJCA033583)

Here, we show that the rice m6A reader protein OsECT3 (EVOLUTIONARILY CONSERVED C-TERMINAL REGION 3), required for rice tolerance to cold, is post-transcriptionally modified by lysine acetylation which reduces its m6A-binding activity. Under cold conditions, OsECT3 acetylation is reduced by cold-induced histone deacetylase HDA705 and lower ACLA2-sourced acetyl-CoA levels, resulting in an increase in OsECT3 m6A-binding activity, accumulation of cold response-related mRNAs and improved tolerance of rice to cold stress.