Azacytidine-induced hypomethylation delays senescence and coloration in harvested strawberries by stimulating antioxidant enzymes and modulating abscisate metabolism to minimize anthocyanin overproduction

DNA methylation is increasingly known to be essential for fruit ripening and senescence. Currently, 5-azacytidine (AZ) was selected as an effective demethylator and it successfully shaped the genomic hypomethylation in harvested strawberries. This was associated with the reprogramming of global gene expressions, which influ-enced downstream food traits. The alleviation of decay and softening, as well as the deceleration of soluble solid accumulation, were included. Coloration was also delayed as a result of the AZ-induced hypomethylation. Our examinations of anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport revealed that they were markedly minimized, which was probably involved with the decreased abscisate level and its weakened metabolism. Additionally, under AZ, the retarded postharvest senescence process was observed and it might be induced by the inhibited ROS accumu-lation accompanying the peroxidase and catalase activities alteration. Overall, these findings underlined the importance of methylation in strawberries and suggested the potential role of epigenetic regulators in the postharvest industry.

Automated summary

DNA methylation plays a crucial role in fruit ripening and senescence. 5-azacytidine (AZ) has been shown to effectively induce genomic hypomethylation in harvested strawberries, leading to changes in gene expression and downstream food traits such as decay and softening alleviation and delayed coloration. It was found that AZ-induced hypomethylation reduced anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport, possibly through decreased abscisate levels. Moreover, AZ treatment also delayed postharvest senescence, potentially by inhibiting ROS accumulation and altering peroxidase and catalase activities. These findings highlight the importance of methylation in strawberries and suggest the potential role of epigenetic regulators in the postharvest industry.