PbSRT1 and PbSRT2 regulate pear growth and ripening yet displaying a species-specific regulation in comparison to other Rosaceae spp.

Epigenetic regulation is crucial to ensure a coordinated control of the different events that occur during fruit development and ripening. Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases involved in gene expression many biological processes. However, their implications Rosaceae family remains unexplored. Accordingly, this work, we demonstrated phylogenetic divergence both sirtuins among species. We then characterized pattern SRT1 SRT2 selected pome stone Both significantly changed ripening apple, nectarine pear fruit, displaying profile. Such differences could explain part behaviour. To further unravel role on processes, deeper analysis was performed using as model. In pear, PbSRT1 levels were negatively correlated with specific hormones (i.e. abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic gibberellin A1 zeatin) first phases development. PbSRT2 seemed directly mediate an ethylene-independent manner. This hypothesis reinforced by treating ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Instead, enhanced along growth/ripening positively accumulation major sugars (R2 > 0.94), reinforcing idea sugar metabolism may be target epigenetic modifications Overall, results from study point out, for time, importance have growth likely regulating hormonal metabolism.