DNA Methylation Changes Were Involved in Inhibiting Ethylene Signaling and Delaying Senescence of Tomato Fruit Under Low Temperature

Objectives To comprehend the epigenetic mechanism of low temperature in delaying senescence of fruit, the changes of DNA methylation patterns of genes related to ethylene biosynthesis and signaling were analyzed in tomato fruit. Results In the present results, the expression level of LeEIN3, SlERF-A1 and LeERT10 decreased, and the expression level of LeCTR1 increased in tomato fruit stored at the low temperature of 11 oC. Meanwhile, the DNA methylation level of CpG island of LeEIN3, SlERF-A1 and LeERT10 increased, and the DNA methylation level of CpG island of LeCTR1 decreased in tomato fruit, respectively. The low temperature suppressed ethylene signaling via changing DNA methylation and gene expression, and delayed senescence of tomato fruit. Conclusions The present study offered valuable information for understanding the role of DNA methylation in senescence of fruit, and provided a foundation for genetic modifying the epigenetic target sites and controlling fruit senescence.