Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the possible mechanism by which 1-methylcyclopropene regulates the postharvest senescence of Zizania latifolia

To understand the mechanism governing the postharvest senescence of Zizania latifolia(Z.latifolia),and the regulatory mechanism induced by 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP)during storage at 25℃,physiobiochemical and conjoint analyses of the transcriptome and metabolome were performed.The results indicated that 1-MCP treatment engendered changes in the expression of genes and metabolites during the postharvest storage of Z.latifolia.The 1-MCP treatment maintained a good visual appearance,preserved the cell structure and membrane integrity of Z.latifolia by keeping the expression of membrane-related lipolytic enzymes(and related genes)low and the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine high.Compared to the control group,1-MCP treatment enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes,resulting in a decrease of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents,and thus inhibition of oxidative damage and loss of membrane integrity.In addition,1-MCP treatment retarded the senescence of Z.latifolia by downregulating the expression of ethylene biosynthesis-related genes and promoting upregulation of brassinosteroid insensitive 1 kinase inhibitor 1,calmodulin,glutathione reductase,jasmonate amino acid synthase,and mitogen-activated protein kinase-related genes.Moreover,1-MCP retarded Z.latifolia senescence by inducing the activity of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)biosynthesis-related genes and metabolites.Our findings should facilitate future research on the postharvest storage of Z.latifolia,and could help delay senescence and prolong the storage time for commercial applications.