Steroidal
glycoalkaloids (SGAs) present in germinated potato tubers
are toxic; however, the mechanisms underlying SGA metabolism are poorly
understood. Therefore, integrated transcriptome, metabolome, and hormone
analyses were performed in this study to identify and characterize
the key regulatory genes, metabolites, and phytohormones related to
glycoalkaloid regulation. Based on transcriptome sequencing of bud
eyes of germinated and dormant potato tubers, a total of 6260 differentially
expressed genes were identified, which were mainly responsible for
phytohormone signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, and secondary
metabolite biosynthesis. Two TCP14 genes were identified as the core
transcription factors that potentially regulate SGA synthesis. Metabolite
analysis indicated that 149 significantly different metabolites were
detected, and they were enriched in metabolic and biosynthetic pathways
of secondary metabolites. In these pathways, the α-solanine
content was increased and the expression of genes related to glycoalkaloid
biosynthesis was upregulated. Levels of gibberellin and jasmonic acid
were increased, whereas that of abscisic acid was decreased. This
study lays a foundation for investigating the biosynthesis and regulation
of SGAs and provides the reference for the production and consumption
of potato tubers.