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WRKY: its structure, evolutionary relationship, DNA-binding selectivity, role in stress tolerance and development of plants

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Abstract

The plants during their sessile, autotrophic lifestyle are affected by wide range of environmental signals and regulate complex patterns of gene expression with the help of transcription factors. The WRKY transcription factors are considered as plant-specific, however, are also reported in protist, slime mold, fern and pine. The WRKY name is coined from its highly conserved 60 amino acid long WRKY domain. These TFs show W box specific binding which is also influenced by the W box flanking sequence. During evolution, the family has expanded in different patterns to facilitate distinct cellular, developmental, and physiological role in plants. The WRKY TFs form one of the largest families in flowering plants, and play a broad spectrum regulatory role as positive and negative regulators of plant defense regulation, abiotic stresses and also involved in growth and development of plants.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

BTH:

Benzo-(1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid s-methyl ester

ETI:

Effector triggered immunity

FAC:

Fatty acid amino acid conjugates

GA:

Gibberelic acid

IBA:

Indole butyric acid

INA:

Isonicotinic acid

ISR:

Induced systemic resistance

JA:

Jasmonic acid

MAMPs:

Microbe associated molecular patterns

Mya:

Million years ago

NAA:

Naphthaleneacetic acid

PAMPs:

Pathogen associated molecular patterns

PR:

Pathogenesis related

PTI:

PAMP triggered immunity

SA:

Salicyclic acid

SAR:

Systematic acquired resistance

TF/TFs:

Transcription factor/s

UV:

Ultra violet

2,4-D:

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

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Acknowledgments

The financial assistance from DST and CSMCRI (CSIR), New Delhi, India is duly acknowledged for carrying out research on WRKY TFs. Authors are thankful to Dr P. K. Ghosh for support and encouragement.

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  1. Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhavnagar, 364021, India

    Parinita Agarwal, M. P. Reddy & Jitendra Chikara

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  1. Parinita Agarwal
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  2. M. P. Reddy
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  3. Jitendra Chikara
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Correspondence to Parinita Agarwal.

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Agarwal, P., Reddy, M.P. & Chikara, J. WRKY: its structure, evolutionary relationship, DNA-binding selectivity, role in stress tolerance and development of plants. Mol Biol Rep 38, 3883–3896 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0504-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0504-5

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