Liwen Chen

Ms. Liwen Chen


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 April 2026 in Agronomy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LCLiwen Chen
Liwen Chen
MZMeichen Zhang
Meichen Zhang
YWYulun Wu
Yulun Wu
LFLixiao Feng
Lixiao Feng
YLYing Liu
Ying Liu
YJYaoyao Jiang
Yaoyao Jiang
Although RNA cytosine-5 methylation (m5C) is an important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism, its contribution to plant antiviral immunity remains unclear. In this study, we identified Thiamine thiazole synthase 2 (TaTHI2) as a host mRNA target of the wheat m5C methyltransferase TaNSUN2 during infection by Chinese wheat mosaic virus (CWMV), a soil-borne virus that poses a major threat to wheat production. TaNSUN2 contributes to the m5C modification of TaTHI2 transcripts, enhancing mRNA stability and sustaining TaTHI2 accumulation. The disruption of a key m5C site markedly reduced methylation, weakened TaNSUN2–RNA binding, and accelerated transcript decay, leading to the compromised production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased viral infection. Mechanistically, the TaNSUN2-dependent m5C modification stabilized TaTHI2 mRNA, thereby promoting ROS-mediated antiviral defense. Collectively, our results establish the m5C modification of TaTHI2 mRNA as a critical post-transcriptional control point in CWMV resistance and highlight TaNSUN2-dependent RNA methylation as an integral component of host antiviral immunity.