Phosphorylation of the transcription factor SlBIML1 by SlBIN2 kinases delays flowering in tomato

Abstract Brassinosteroids (BRs) are well known for their important role in the regulation of plant growth and development. Plants with deficiency in BR signaling show delayed plant development and exhibit late flowering phenotypes. However, the precise mechanisms involved in this process require investigation. In this study, we cloned homologs of BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2 (SlBIN2), the GSK3-like protein kinase in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We characterized growth-related processes and phenotypic changes in the transgenic lines and found that SlBIN2s transgenic lines have delayed development and slow growing phenotypes. SlBIN2s work redundantly to negatively regulate BR signaling in tomato. Furthermore, the transcription factor SlBIN2.1-INTERACTING MYB-LIKE 1 (SlBIML1) was identified as a downstream substrate of SlBIN2s that SlBIN2s interact with and phosphorylate to synergistically regulate tomato developmental processes. Specifically, SlBIN2s modulated protein stability of SlBIML1 by phosphorylating multiple amino acid residues, including the sites Thr266 and Thr280. This study reveals a branch of the BR signaling pathway that regulates the vegetative growth phase and delays floral transition in tomato without the feedback affecting BR signaling. This information enriches our understanding of the downstream transduction pathway of BR signaling and provides potential targets for adjusting tomato flowering time.