Multi-omics data integration provides insights into the post-harvest biology of a long shelf-life tomato landrace

Abstract
In this study we investigated the transcriptome and epigenome dynamics of the tomato fruit during post-harvest in a landrace belonging to a group of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) collectively known as "Piennolo del Vesuvio", all characterized by a long shelflife. Expression of protein-coding genes and microRNAs as well as DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications were analysed in distinct post-harvest phases. Multi-omics data integration contributed to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying processes leading to long shelf-life. We unveiled global changes in transcriptome and epigenome. DNA methylation increased and the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 was lost as the fruit progressed from red ripe to 150 days post-harvest. Thousands of genes were differentially expressed, about half of which were potentially epi-regulated as they were engaged in at least one epi-mark change in addition to being microRNA targets in ~5% of cases. Down-regulation of the ripening regulator MADS-RIN and of genes involved in ethylene response and cell wall degradation was consistent with the delayed fruit softening. Large-scale epigenome reprogramming that occurred in the fruit during post-harvest likely contributed to delayed fruit senescence.
Anno
2022
Autori IAC
Tipo pubblicazione
Altri Autori
Riccardo Aiese Cigliano, Riccardo Aversano, Antonio Di Matteo, Samuela Palombieri, Pasquale Termolino, Claudia Angelini, Hamed Bostan,
Maria Cammareri, Federica Maria Consiglio, Floriana Della Ragione, Rosa Paparo, Vladimir Totev Valkov, Antonella Vitiello, Domenico Carputo,
Maria Luisa Chiusano, Maurizio D;Esposito, Silvana Grandillo, Maria Rosaria Matarazzo, Luigi Frusciante, Nunzio D;Agostino,
and Clara Conicella
Editore
Nature Publishing Group in partnership with Nanjing Agricultural University
Rivista
Horticulture research