PAT mRNA decapping factors are required for proper development in Arabidopsis

Evolutionarily conserved protein associated with topoisomerase II (PAT1) proteins activate mRNA decay through binding mRNA and recruiting decapping factors to optimize posttranscriptional reprogramming. Here, we generated multiple mutants of pat1, pat1 homolog 1 (path1), and pat1 homolog 2 (path2) and discovered that pat triple mutants exhibit extremely stunted growth and all mutants with pat1 exhibit leaf serration while mutants with pat1 and path1 display short petioles. All three PATs can be found localized to processing bodies and all PATs can target ASYMMETRIC LEAVES 2-LIKE 9 transcripts for decay to finely regulate apical hook and lateral root development. In conclusion, PATs exhibit both specific and redundant functions during different plant growth stages and our observations underpin the selective regulation of the mRNA decay machinery for proper development.