Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of 1-MCP-induced disease resistance in Korla fragrant pear

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on Aspergillus niger (A. niger) -infested Korla fragrant pears using transcriptomics and metabolomics were investigated. Differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in metabolic pathways associated with disease resistance, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis pathway, etc., under control and 1-MCP treatment conditions. Metabolomic analyses revealed differentially accumulated metabolites associated with 120 d and 210 d; phenylacetylglutamine, stearic acid, and so on were found to be accumulated at higher levels at these time points. Further analysis showed that 1-MCP treatment was associated with increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, and fatty acid desaturase, as well as the content of lignin, flavonoids, and total phenolics, and was associated with up-regulated expression of the encoded genes. In addition, 1-MCP treatment was associated with decreased relative membrane permeability and malondialdehyde content, and was associated with changes in IUFA and U/S of the pericarp cell membrane. In conclusion, 1-MCP treatment is associated with enhanced disease resistance of pear against A. niger infestation, and this association is linked to changes in membrane lipid metabolism and phenylpropane metabolism. • 1-MCP enhances Korla pear disease resistance via gene/metabolite regulation. • 1-MCP regulates enzymes related to phenylpropane metabolism and gene expression. • 1-MCP adjusts Korla pear fatty acid ratios to enhance fruit disease resistance. • 1-MCP modulates enzymes related to membrane lipid metabolism and gene expression.