Expression patterns of DEMETER-like DNA demethylases homologs hint at potential involvement in grapevine dormancy release

Climate change represents an undeniable threat to traditional viticulture in many areas of the world. Although increase average surface temperatures is expected future, late frost occurrences are predicted be actual challenge, being budburst critical stage during which cold hardiness levels dramatically decrease and vulnerability at its maximum. Genomic DNA methylation known as important mechanism for gene expression regulation. A sub-group epigenetic regulators named DEMETER-like demethylases (DMLs) has been shown involved budbreak regulation Populus trichocarpa . In this study, buds two Vitis cultivars, Fleurtai (Friulano × Kozma 20-3) UD 31-103 (Merlot 20-3), characterized by different resistance winter freezing temperatures, were sampled 2019/2020 season. Cold dynamics monitored with differential thermal analysis (DTA) regular intervals. Expression putative grapevine DEMETER homologs investigated natural dormancy conditions. Results show dissimilar deacclimation rates varieties. As observed other woody species, DEMETERs downregulation upregulation trends hinting a potential involvement release.