Transcriptome Analysis of Ethylene-Related Genes in Chlorine Dioxide-Treated Fresh-Cut Cauliflower.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) is widely used for the quality preservation of postharvest horticultural plants. However, the molecular mechanism of how ClO 2 works is not clear. The purpose of this study was to understand ethylene-related molecular signaling in ClO 2 -treated fresh-cut cauliflower florets. Transcriptome analysis was used to investigate ethylene-related gene regulation. A total of 182.83 Gb clean data were acquired, and the reads of each sample to the unique mapped position of the reference genome could reach more than 85.51%. A sum of 2875, 3500, 4582 and 1906 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 0 d, 4 d, 8 d and 16 d between the control group and ClO 2 -treated group, respectively. DEGs were enriched in functions such as 'response to oxygen-containing compounds' and 'phosphorylation', as well as MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone transduction pathway and so on. Genes, including OXI1 , MPK3 , WRKY22 and ERF1 , which are located at the junction of wounding, pathogen attack, pathogen infection or ethylene signal transduction pathways, were up-regulated in response to stress. ETR and CTR1 (both up-regulated), as well as three down-regulated genes, including BolC5t34953H (a probable NAC ), BolC1t05767H (a probable NAC ) and BolC2t06548H (a probable ERF13 ), might work as negative regulators for ethylene signal transduction. In conclusion, ethylene-related genes and pathways are involved in ClO 2 treatment, which might enhance stress resistance and have a negative feedback mechanism.