Análisis del estado de metilación de genes en cerezo (Prunus avium) para diferenciar entre variedades de cosecha temprana y tardía.
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
En Chile, la exportación de frutos de Prunus avium (cerezo dulce) depende significativamente de la época y duración del desarrollo y maduración de los frutos. Dentro de esta especie, las variedades se pueden clasificar según sus fechas de cosecha en tempranas, media estación o tardías. Esta diversidad fenológica ha favorecido la comercialización interna y externa, destacando la importancia de comprender y predecir estos rasgos de manera temprana para optimizar las plantaciones. Recientes estudios han sugerido que las modificaciones epigenéticas, en particular la metilación de la citosina, están vinculadas con la fecha de desarrollo y maduración del fruto. Además, el análisis de los metilomas permite detectar "epi-marcadores" que podrían predecir rasgos fenológicos específicos, aunque esta área de investigación aún es poco explorada. En esta investigación, se analizó el metiloma de cuatro variedades de P. avium (dos variedades tempranas y dos tardías) para identificar regiones génicas diferencialmente metiladas (DMRs). El análisis bioinformático de la metilación in silico se complementó con la validación experimental de una DRM mediante inmunoprecipitación de ADN metilado (MeDIP) seguida de PCR cuantitativa. Los resultados revelaron 10 genes candidatos cercanos a DMRs cuya función podría relacionarse con el desarrollo del fruto. El procedimiento de validación experimental permitió identificar indicios de diferencias específicas de metilación entre variedades, aunque estas no fueron tan pronunciadas como se esperaba. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de optimizar el protocolo para fortalecer la robustez y claridad de las evidencias obtenidas.
In Chile, the export of Prunus avium (sweet cherry) fruits significantly depends on the timing and duration of fruit development and ripening. Within this species, varieties can be classified based on their harvest dates as either early, mid season or late. This phenological diversity has facilitated domestic and international commercialization, highlighting the importance of understanding and predicting these traits early to optimize orchard management. Recent studies have suggested that epigenetic modifications, particularly cytosine methylation, are linked to fruit development and ripening timing. Additionally, methylome analysis allows the identification of "epi-markers" that could predict specific phenological traits, although this field remains largely unexplored. In this study, the methylome of four P. avium varieties (two early and two late) was analyzed to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Bioinformatic analysis of in silico methylation was complemented by the experimental validation of a DMR using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) followed by quantitative PCR. The results revealed 10 candidate genes near DMRs whose functions may be related to fruit development. The experimental validation procedure allowed the identification of indications of specific methylation differences between varieties, although these differences were less pronounced than expected. The results highlight the need to optimize the protocol to improve the robustness and clarity of the evidence obtained.
In Chile, the export of Prunus avium (sweet cherry) fruits significantly depends on the timing and duration of fruit development and ripening. Within this species, varieties can be classified based on their harvest dates as either early, mid season or late. This phenological diversity has facilitated domestic and international commercialization, highlighting the importance of understanding and predicting these traits early to optimize orchard management. Recent studies have suggested that epigenetic modifications, particularly cytosine methylation, are linked to fruit development and ripening timing. Additionally, methylome analysis allows the identification of "epi-markers" that could predict specific phenological traits, although this field remains largely unexplored. In this study, the methylome of four P. avium varieties (two early and two late) was analyzed to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Bioinformatic analysis of in silico methylation was complemented by the experimental validation of a DMR using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) followed by quantitative PCR. The results revealed 10 candidate genes near DMRs whose functions may be related to fruit development. The experimental validation procedure allowed the identification of indications of specific methylation differences between varieties, although these differences were less pronounced than expected. The results highlight the need to optimize the protocol to improve the robustness and clarity of the evidence obtained.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniera en Biotecnología Vegetal
Keywords
Metilación, Cosechas Rendimiento, Cerezo