| Summary: | The <i>SnRK</i> gene family is the chief component of plant stress resistance and metabolism through activating the phosphorylation of downstream proteins. <i>S. miltiorrhiza</i> is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Asian countries. However, information about the <i>SnRK</i> gene family of <i>S. miltiorrhiza</i> is not clear. The aim of this study is to comprehensively analyze the <i>SnRK</i> gene family of <i>S. miltiorrhiza</i> and its response to phytohormone. Here, 33 <i>SmSnRK</i> genes were identified and divided into three subfamilies (SmSnRK1, SmSnRK2 and SmSnRK3) according to phylogenetic analysis and domain. <i>SmSnRK</i> genes within same subgroup shared similar protein motif composition and were unevenly distributed on eight chromosomes of <i>S. miltiorrhiza</i>. <i>Cis</i>-acting element analysis showed that the promoter of <i>SmSnRK</i> genes was enriched with <i>ABRE</i> motifs. Expression pattern analysis revealed that <i>SmSnRK</i> genes were preferentially expressed in leaves and roots. Most <i>SmSnRK</i> genes were induced by ABA and MeJA treatment. Correlation analysis showed that <i>SmSnRK3.15</i> and <i>SmSnRK3.18</i> might positively regulate tanshinone biosynthesis; <i>SmSnRK3.10 and SmSnRK3.12</i> might positively regulate salvianolic acid biosynthesis. RNAi-based silencing of <i>SmSnRK2.6</i> down-regulated the biosynthesis of tanshinones and biosynthetic genes expression. An in vitro phosphorylation assay verified that SmSnRK2.2 interacted with and phosphorylated SmAREB1. These findings will provide a valuable basis for the functional characterization of <i>SmSnRK</i> genes and quality improvement of <i>S. miltiorrhiza.</i>
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