A research team led by Wang Xiyao from the College of Agriculture at Sichuan Agricultural University recently published a paper in Horticulture Research, revealing the critical role of the interaction between two proteins StSN2 and StBIN2 in maintaining potato tuber dormancy. 

 

Through various experimental approaches, the researchers validated that StSN2 can interact with StBIN2, a protein that negatively regulates brassinosteroid signaling pathways, to enhance the latter's enzyme activity. Overexpression of StBIN2 can repress BZR1 expression while promoting the expression of SnRK2 family proteins, thereby activating ABA pathways to maintain the dormant state of potato tubers.

 

The study suggests that this finding will not only help further understand the molecular mechanisms regulating potato tuber dormancy, but also provide a theoretical basis for using molecular breeding approaches to cultivate new potato varieties more suitable for different planting environments.