Polyphenism Through RNA Chemical Modifications

Polyphenism, the capacity of a single genotype to produce discrete phenotypes in response to environmental cues, has long served as a model for understanding developmental plasticity. While classical studies have highlighted hormonal signalling and transcription-factor-driven gene regulatory networks that mediate these environmentally induced shifts, recent advances have uncovered a new layer of gene regulation through chemical modifications of RNA molecules. These RNA modifications, collectively known as epitranscriptomic marks, have been shown to respond to environmental signals and modulate RNA fate. Despite their regulatory potential, their involvement in polyphenic systems remains largely unexplored. Here, we synthesize evidence suggesting that RNA modifications may form a dynamic, context-sensitive interface linking environmental inputs to phenotypic expression and developmental commitment in polyphenic systems.