Epigenetic modification, a novel strategy to artificially control blueberry fruit ripening

Fruit development and ripening is a complex biological process involving multiple regulation factors, such as accumulation of bioactive compounds, changes in composition and texture, and increased susceptibility to pathogens. In addition, fruit development and ripening requires the combined involvement of hormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinin, ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA). Early studies on fruit growth and development focused on ethylene synthesis and signal transduction, and identified a number of transcription factors that are essential or important for fruit growth and development, such as those that regulate the ethylene response. Fruit development and ripening are not only influenced by genetic factors, but also by epigenetic modifications, among which DNA methylation, histone methylation and RNA methylation play a critical role in fruit growth and development. Here, we review the research progress of DNA methylation on the regulation of fruit growth and development in horticultural plants, then, we describe the effect of DNA demethylation on blueberry ripening, showing the novel function of DNA methylation in promoting blueberry cluster ripening.