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Key message <p><b>Pathogen infection by the oomycete</b><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic"> Phytophthora capsici</Emphasis> i<b>nduces dynamic m⁶A epitranscriptomic remodeling in black pepper, linking m⁶A-associated regulation with defense-related pathways including phenylpropanoid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) responses, and lignification. This study provides evidence for epitranscriptomic regulation of host defense in the </b><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Piper nigrum–Phytophthora capsici</Emphasis> <b>pathosystem</b>.</p> Abstract <p>Foot rot (quick wilt) caused by the oomycete <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> is a major constraint to the cultivation of <i>Piper nigrum</i> L. (black pepper). Although N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification has emerged as an important component of plant stress responses, its role in black pepper–<i>P. capsici</i> interactions remains unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamics and potential functional relevance of m⁶A during pathogen infection. Dot blot analysis and transcriptome-wide profiling (MeRIP-seq) indicated increased m⁶A enrichment in infected leaves compared with healthy controls. Spatiotemporal analyses further revealed enhanced m⁶A-associated signals at local infection sites as well as in distal tissues, suggesting infection-associated changes in tissues beyond the primary infection site. Pharmacological perturbation using 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZnep) and meclofenamic acid (MA) resulted in increased disease severity and enhanced pathogen colonization, suggesting that methylation-related processes may contribute to host resistance. However, given the pleiotropic effects of these inhibitors, the observed responses are interpreted as indirect evidence of methylation-associated regulation. Functional enrichment analysis showed that m⁶A-associated transcripts are linked to key defense-related processes, including phenylpropanoid metabolism, lignification, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated responses. Together, these findings suggest that m⁶A methylation may represent a dynamic regulatory layer in black pepper immunity and provide a foundation for future studies on epitranscriptomic regulation of plant defense during oomycete infection.</p>

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Pathogen-triggered m⁶A epitranscriptomic reprogramming is linked to host defense responses in the Piper nigrum–Phytophthora capsici pathosystem

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月3日

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  • Sora Salim,
  • Lekshmi Revikumar Sunitha,
  • Soniya Eppurath Vasudevan

摘要

Key message

Pathogen infection by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici induces dynamic m⁶A epitranscriptomic remodeling in black pepper, linking m⁶A-associated regulation with defense-related pathways including phenylpropanoid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) responses, and lignification. This study provides evidence for epitranscriptomic regulation of host defense in the Piper nigrum–Phytophthora capsici pathosystem.

Abstract

Foot rot (quick wilt) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici is a major constraint to the cultivation of Piper nigrum L. (black pepper). Although N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification has emerged as an important component of plant stress responses, its role in black pepper–P. capsici interactions remains unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamics and potential functional relevance of m⁶A during pathogen infection. Dot blot analysis and transcriptome-wide profiling (MeRIP-seq) indicated increased m⁶A enrichment in infected leaves compared with healthy controls. Spatiotemporal analyses further revealed enhanced m⁶A-associated signals at local infection sites as well as in distal tissues, suggesting infection-associated changes in tissues beyond the primary infection site. Pharmacological perturbation using 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZnep) and meclofenamic acid (MA) resulted in increased disease severity and enhanced pathogen colonization, suggesting that methylation-related processes may contribute to host resistance. However, given the pleiotropic effects of these inhibitors, the observed responses are interpreted as indirect evidence of methylation-associated regulation. Functional enrichment analysis showed that m⁶A-associated transcripts are linked to key defense-related processes, including phenylpropanoid metabolism, lignification, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated responses. Together, these findings suggest that m⁶A methylation may represent a dynamic regulatory layer in black pepper immunity and provide a foundation for future studies on epitranscriptomic regulation of plant defense during oomycete infection.