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Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation plays an important role in fruit ripening and senescence. Here, the role of DNA methylation of the CpG island of SlACS10, LeCTR1, LeEIN3, LeERT10, and SlERF-A1 genes induced by heat treatment (37 °C) in postharvest ripening of tomato fruit was studied. After heat treatment, the firmness and vitamin C content showed higher levels, the loss of aldehydes in volatile components was delayed, and the activities of methylase and demethylase decreased in tomato fruit. Moreover, in heat-treated fruit, significant changes in DNA methylation of SlACS10, LeCTR1, LeEIN3, LeERT10, and SlERF-A1 were induced, the expression of LeERT10 and LeEIN3 was inhibited, the expression of SlERF-A1 was increased, by which ethylene signal transmission might be suppressed and the postharvest ripening of tomato fruit was delayed. The present study provided valuable information for understanding the essential role of DNA methylation in the postharvest ripening of tomato fruit.

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The regulation mechanism of the levels of DNA methylation of CpG islands of ethylene signaling genes induced by melatonin on postharvest ripening of tomato fruit were studied. The ripening of tomato fruit was significantly promoted by the melatonin treatment, as revealed by the appearance color, the lycopene and total soluble solids content of the fruit. In the melatonin treated fruit, the DNA methylation levels of CpG island of SlACS10 and SlERF-A1 were decreased, and the DNA methylation level of CpG island of LeCTR1 was increased. In addition, melatonin treatment increased the expression level of SlACS10, LeEIN3, SlERF-A1 and LeERT10, inhibited the expression level of LeCTR1, and by which the ethylene signaling was activated and the ripening was promoted. The present study provided valuable information for understanding the essential role of DNA methylation in the postharvest ripening of tomato fruit.