NCM 2023 Singapore: Exploring post-transcriptional modifications during myrtle rust pathogen-plant interactions

Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that is spreading worldwide, threatening the biodiversity of Myrtaceae plants. Many plants will have poor or no defence against this highly infectious, mutating, and rapidly spreading fungus. The extent of post-transcriptional modifications is largely unexplored in pathogen-plant interactions but may play key roles in transcript function and stability during pathogen attacks. We investigated Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust) and Syzygium jambos (rose apple) before and after myrtle rust infection, by direct RNA sequencing with the Oxford Nanopore MinION platform. Direct RNA sequencing revealed differential gene expression, alternative splicing, and what dynamic, reversible modifications are made to the RNA, such as methylation. Our research goal is to increase the understanding of pathogen-plant interactions and determine if alternative splicing and RNA modifications play signification roles in infection or plant immunity.