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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Weed and Insect Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423348
Research Project: Biology of Weed-Crop Interactions to Improve Weed Management Strategies in Northern Agro-ecosystems

Location: Weed and Insect Biology Research

Title: PlOBP1-PlSOC1-anchored transcriptional networks regulate bud dormancy transition of herbaceous peony in response to low temperature

Author
item WANG, XIAOBIN - Zhejiang University
item ZHANG, KAIJING - Zhejiang University
item LI, DANQING - Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
item SHAO, LINGMEI - Zhejiang University
item XU, TONG - Zhejiang University
item REN, ZIMING - Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
item WANG, QIYAO - Zhejiang University
item GUO, JUNHONG - Zhejiang University
item ZHANG, RUNLONG - Zhejiang University
item CHEN, XIAOXUAN - Zhejiang University
item GAO, CONG - Zhejiang University
item Horvath, David
item XIA, YOUNG - Zhejiang University
item ZHANG, JIAPING - Zhejiang University

Submitted to: Plant Cell and Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Peony is an important horticultural crop in several countries in the world with temperate sub-tropical climates- most notably China, India, but also in the US. Peony undergo growth cessation and dormancy induction in the fall, which protects them from freezing damage. However, failure to appropriately enter or break dormancy results in yield losses. Several genes were initially identified as potentially controlling dormancy induction and breaking in peony including a DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM) gene that was similar to gnes from other perennial plants and weeds that have also been linked to dormancy control. This particular DAM gene was either turned on or turned off to confirm it controlled dormancy in teaplant. The results indicated that it did. Further, other genes that are controlled by this DAM gene were identified as were genes that control when this DAM gene itself is turned on or off. These results will help researchers manipulate this dormancy-controlling gene, and develop new peony cultivars that will have better yields in increasingly less predictable climates.

Technical Abstract: The transition from bud endodormancy to ecodormancy is triggered by environmental cues, particularly low temperatures. However, the mechanism underlying bud dormancy transition (BDT) is largely unknown. Here, we identified a low temperature responsive, MADS-box family SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (PlSOC1) under both natural and controlled low temperatures, which promotes BDT and confers low chilling requirement (CR) trait of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora). A novel transcription factor, DNA-binding One Zinc Finger (DOF) family OBF BINDING PROTEIN 1 (PlOBP1), was found to bind the AAAAG motif in PlSOC1 promoter, acting as a negative regulator of BDT. PlOBP1 acts together with Dormancy Associated MADS-box (PlDAM) protein to enhance the transinhibitory effect of PlSOC1. Further gibberellic acid (GA) treatment showed that exogenous GA can replace long-term chilling to promote BDT, likely by inhibiting the expression of PlOBP1 while inducing the expression of PlSOC1. The elevated PlSOC1 forms a complex with PlDAM and inhibits PlDAM activity, further releasing the inhibition on PlSOC1, thereby amplifying PlSOC1 and triggering BDT. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into low temperature-mediated GA regulation of BDT and reveal novel role of DOF protein PlOBP1 and its interactions with MADS-box family members in bud dormancy regulation.