Work

Integrated analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptome reveals the mechanism of differences in adventitious root formation ability between juvenile and mature shoots of apricot

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The adventitious root formation in fruit trees is crucial for cultivating high-quality rootstocks. It is currently understood that organogenesis varies significantly among tissues of different physiological ages, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. To uncover the mechanism, this study systematically compared the differences in adventitious root formation ability, genome-wide DNA methylation patterns, and transcriptome expression profiles between rejuvenated apricot materials (basal shoots, BS) and mature materials (annual shoots at the top, AS). The results revealed that BS achieved an adventitious root formation rate of approximately 35%, compared to merely 5% in AS. Furthermore, BS displayed a thinner cortex and reduced lignification in parenchyma tissue. Additionally, lower DNA methylation levels were observed in the promoter and gene coding regions. Transcriptome data revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AS and BS were significantly enriched in pathways related to plant hormone signal transduction and cell wall metabolism. Integrated analysis found that the overlapping genes between differentially methylated regions and DEGs were involved in the biosynthesis and degradation processes of cellulose, pectin, and lignin. The low methylation levels in the promoters of pectin hydrolase-encoding genes and coniferin/sinapyl alcohol synthesis-related genes in BS may be key to releasing transcriptional repression, thereby promoting cell wall softening, enhancing plasticity, and creating a favorable cytological microenvironment for adventitious root formation. This study deepens the understanding of the mechanism of adventitious root formation in apricots from epigenetic and transcriptional perspectives, providing a theoretical basis and candidate targets for improving rootstock rooting ability through genetic engineering.

Source: Current Plant Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100621

Authors: Juanjuan Ling, Wenjian Yu, Meiling Zhang, Li Yang, Junhuan Zhang, Haoyuan Sun

Institutions: Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops

Language: English

Topic: Plant Molecular Biology Research

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,440