SELF-PRUNING 6A promotes tuberization and heat tolerance but lowers immunity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Yeo D, Eydam J, Koch L, Lackus ND, Reinert S, Kauder F, Bruckmüller J, Lübeck J, Sonnewald S, Sonnewald U (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Book Volume: 76

Pages Range: 6881-6895

Journal Issue: 22

DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraf393

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a crucial global food crop, but high temperatures inhibit tuberization and reduce yield. To investigate heat tolerance genetics, a crossing population was created using the cultivars Annabelle (early tuber-forming, moderately heat tolerant) and Camel (mid-early tuber-forming, heat-sensitive). Screening over 500 progenies identified 10 contrasting individuals for further study. RNA-Seq analysis of parents and selected progeny confirmed the phenotypic heat tolerance classification. Tolerant genotypes exhibited earlier tuberization and significantly higher leaf expression of SELF-PRUNING 6A (SP6A), a key tuberization gene. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that under control conditions, heat-tolerant plants showed down-regulation of multiple defense-related pathways, particularly terpene synthases, leading to reduced terpene accumulation. This correlated with a diminished immune response, evident from lower ethylene production upon flgII-28 treatment. To explore the role of SP6A in the observed trade-off between tuberization and defense, transgenic SP6A overexpressing plants were studied. Like heat-tolerant progeny, SP6A overexpression led to down-regulation of defense genes, reduced terpene accumulation, and a weaker immune response. These findings suggest that SP6A-mediated assimilate redistribution plays a key role in the negative correlation between early tuberization and pathogen defense, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying heat tolerance in potatoes.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Germany (DE) Solana Research GmbH Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Yeo, D., Eydam, J., Koch, L., Lackus, N.D., Reinert, S., Kauder, F.,... Sonnewald, U. (2025). SELF-PRUNING 6A promotes tuberization and heat tolerance but lowers immunity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Journal of Experimental Botany, 76(22), 6881-6895. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraf393

MLA:

Yeo, Darren, et al. "SELF-PRUNING 6A promotes tuberization and heat tolerance but lowers immunity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)." Journal of Experimental Botany 76.22 (2025): 6881-6895.

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