摘要
WRKYgenee encode transcription factors that are Involved In the regulation of various biological processes. These zinc-finger proteins, especially those members mediating stress responses, are uniquely expanded In plants. To facilitate the study of the evolutionary history and functions of this eupergene family, we performed an exhaustive search for WRKY genes using HMMER and a Hidden Markov Model that was specifically trained for rice. This work resulted In a comprehensive list of WRKYgene models In Oryza sativa L. eep. indica and L. eep. Japonica. Mapping of these genes to Individual chromosomes facilitated elimination of the redundant, leading to the Identification of 98 WRKYgenee In Japonica and 102 In indica rice. These genes were further categorized according to the number and structure of their zinc-finger domains. Based on a phylogenetlc tree of the conserved WRKY domains and the graphic display of WRKY loci on corresponding indica and Japonica chromosomes, we Identified possible WRKY gene duplications within, and losses between the two closely related rice subspecies. Also reviewed are the roles of WRKY genes In disease resistance and responses to salicylic acid and Jaemonlc acid, seed development and germination mediated by glbberelllns, other developmental processes Including senescence, and responses to ablotlc stresses and abeclelc acid In rice and other plants. The signaling pathways mediating WRKY gene expreeelon are also discussed.
WRKYgenee encode transcription factors that are Involved In the regulation of various biological processes. These zinc-finger proteins, especially those members mediating stress responses, are uniquely expanded In plants. To facilitate the study of the evolutionary history and functions of this eupergene family, we performed an exhaustive search for WRKY genes using HMMER and a Hidden Markov Model that was specifically trained for rice. This work resulted In a comprehensive list of WRKYgene models In Oryza sativa L. eep. indica and L. eep. Japonica. Mapping of these genes to Individual chromosomes facilitated elimination of the redundant, leading to the Identification of 98 WRKYgenee In Japonica and 102 In indica rice. These genes were further categorized according to the number and structure of their zinc-finger domains. Based on a phylogenetlc tree of the conserved WRKY domains and the graphic display of WRKY loci on corresponding indica and Japonica chromosomes, we Identified possible WRKY gene duplications within, and losses between the two closely related rice subspecies. Also reviewed are the roles of WRKY genes In disease resistance and responses to salicylic acid and Jaemonlc acid, seed development and germination mediated by glbberelllns, other developmental processes Including senescence, and responses to ablotlc stresses and abeclelc acid In rice and other plants. The signaling pathways mediating WRKY gene expreeelon are also discussed.
基金
Supported by the National Center for Research Resources （NCRR） （P20 RR 016464）, a component of the National Institutes of Health （NIH）, Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NCRR or NIH. Publication of this paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （30624808）. Acknowledgements The authors thank two former members of our laboratory namely Drs Zhonglin Zhang and Zhen Xie, for stimulating discussions and their contributions in preparing Figure 4 and compiling information for the biological functions of WRKYgenes. Dr Zhang is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Duke and Dr Xie is a postdoctoral fellow in Harvard.
