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

Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) is widely used for the quality preservation of postharvest horticultural plants. However, the molecular mechanism of how ClO₂ works is not clear. The purpose of this study was to understand ethylene-related molecular signaling in ClO₂-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 ClO₂-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 <i>OXI1</i>, <i>MPK3</i>, <i>WRKY22</i> and <i>ERF1</i>, which are located at the junction of wounding, pathogen attack, pathogen infection or ethylene signal transduction pathways, were up-regulated in response to stress. <i>ETR</i> and <i>CTR1</i> (both up-regulated), as well as three down-regulated genes, including <i>BolC5t34953H</i> (a probable <i>NAC</i>), <i>BolC1t05767H</i> (a probable <i>NAC</i>) and <i>BolC2t06548H</i> (a probable <i>ERF13</i>), might work as negative regulators for ethylene signal transduction. In conclusion, ethylene-related genes and pathways are involved in ClO₂ treatment, which might enhance stress resistance and have a negative feedback mechanism.