Unraveling the mechanisms of pseudouridylation in rice plant immunity: The power of next-generation sequencing

Pseudouridylation is a prevalent RNA modification that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and modulating plant responses to biotic stresses, such as pathogenic attacks. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled high-resolution mapping of pseudouridine sites in plant RNA, offering valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immunity. This review explores the role of pseudouridylation in rice under biotic stress conditions, particularly during interactions with fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. We highlight the potential of NGS-based methods, such as RNA-seq and pseudouridine-seq, in identifying and quantifying pseudouridylation marks in response to pathogen-induced stress. The review further discusses the regulatory implications of pseudouridylation in modulating gene expression, post-transcriptional control, and host-pathogen interactions. Understanding how pseudouridylation influences plant immunity opens new avenues for enhancing disease resistance in rice and other crops. We also consider the challenges and future prospects of integrating NGS-based technologies in plant pathology research to unravel the complexities of RNA modifications in response to biotic stress. Overview of pseudouridylation in rice ( Oryza sativa ) and its role in biotic stress response in rice plant. This figure would provide a comprehensive diagram illustrating the role of pseudouridylation in plant immune responses. It could include a representation of pseudouridine (Ψ) marking RNA molecules (such as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA) in rice cells during biotic stress conditions. Key stages to be illustrated would include the pathogen recognition (e.g., pattern recognition receptors), transcriptional activation of immune-related genes, RNA stabilization through pseudouridylation, and protein synthesis. This could highlight how pseudouridylation impacts the translation of immune-related genes and enhances immune responses. • Pseudouridylation (Ψ) regulates plant–pathogen response genes. • RNA-seq and Ψ-seq map Ψ sites, revealing resistance pathways. • In rice, Ψ affects gene control, post-transcription, and immunity. • NGS of RNA modifications aids crop disease-resistance breeding. • Ψ dynamics interact with m 6 A/m 5 C for layered regulation. • Emerging Ψ editors may enable targeted immune modulation.