Abstract

N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) is a prevalent dynamic RNA epigenetic modification that plays a crucial role in plant defense against viral infection. However, whether viruses have evolved mechanisms to counteract the m 6 A-associated defense remains unknown. Here, we report that a viral pathogen effector, the 2b protein encoded by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), disables the methyltransferase of the m 6 A modification complex to evade the m 6 A-mediated plant defense. The viral effector 2b interacts with methyltransferase B (MTB), and this interaction re-localizes the MTA, the core component of the m 6 A methyltransferase, from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The 2b protein not only prompts the MTA/MTB complex to form condensates in the nucleus but also inhibits their enzymatic activity, thereby suppressing m 6 A modification on the genomic/subgenomic RNAs of CMV to promote viral infection. Collectively, our findings uncovered a viral effector that targets and suppresses the m 6 A methyltransferase complex, shedding light on the mechanism by which plant viruses counteract m 6 A-mediated antiviral defense.