Tanshinones, crucial bioactive compounds derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, are extensively utilized in treating cardiovascular diseases and can have their production enhanced by multiple hormones. Here, a multiple hormone-responsive gene, SmWRKY32, was identified. Transgenic and overexpression transcriptome analysis revealed that SmWRKY32 is a suppressor of tanshinone biosynthesis. Further investigation demonstrated that SmWRKY32 directly suppresses the expression of tanshinone biosynthesis genes GGPPS1 and CPS1. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that the positive regulator of tanshinone synthesis, SmERF128, was significantly downregulated in SmWRKY32 overexpression lines. It was subsequently verified that SmWRKY32 directly inhibits the expression of SmERF128. These results demonstrate that SmWRKY32 negatively modulates tanshinone biosynthesis by directly repressing GGPPS1, CPS1, and ERF128. This study reveals a novel module for the biosynthesis of tanshinones and provides fresh perspectives on cultivating new varieties enriched with high levels of active ingredients.

丹参酮是从丹参中提取的重要生物活性化合物，广泛用于治疗心血管疾病，并且可以通过多种激素增强其产量。在此，鉴定出了一种多激素反应基因 SmWRKY32。转基因和过表达转录组分析表明，SmWRKY32 是丹参酮生物合成的抑制剂。进一步研究表明，SmWRKY32 直接抑制丹参酮生物合成基因 GGPPS1 和 CPS1 的表达。此外，RNA测序显示丹参酮合成的正调节因子SmERF128在SmWRKY32过表达系中显着下调。随后证实SmWRKY32直接抑制SmERF128的表达。这些结果表明，SmWRKY32 通过直接抑制 GGPPS1、CPS1 和 ERF128 来负向调节丹参酮生物合成。这项研究揭示了丹参酮生物合成的新模块，并为培育富含高水平活性成分的新品种提供了新的视角。