Bioinformatic analysis of the transcriptomic responses of the SnRK2 gene family to cold stress in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

In this study, the aim is to determine the role and interactions of the SORBI_3002G379400 (or SORBI_3002G379400) gene, which belongs to the SnRK2 gene family in Sorghum bicolor, within molecular networks through Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Using WGCNA, 23 highly correlated gene pairs were identified, highlighting the strong transcriptional coordination between SnRK2 and other genes involved in key biological processes such as transcriptional regulation, membrane transport, protein phosphorylation, translational control, and redox homeostasis. The central position of SnRK2 within the network suggests that it plays a pivotal regulatory role in abiotic stress responses. Among the interacting genes are AMPK homologs, ferredoxin-related electron transport genes, ion channels, and ribosomal protein genes, indicating a multi-layered involvement of SnRK2 in stress signaling. These results, supported by existing literature, demonstrate that SnRK2 functions not only in ABA signaling but also in broader cellular pathways including energy balance, translation, redox regulation, and ionic responses. Future experimental validations will be crucial to elucidate the functional roles of these genes and to explore the full regulatory potential of the SnRK2-centered co-expression network.