高等植物WRKY转录因子家族的演化及功能研究进展

Evolution and Gene Function of WRKY Transcription Factor Families in Higher Plants

WRKY转录因子是植物转录调节因子的最大家族之一,并且是调节植物许多生物过程的信号网络的组成部分。WRKY转录因子通过其保守结构域与靶基因启动子区域的W-box特异性结合,调节靶基因的表达,进而调控植物的叶片衰老、种子萌发与休眠、开花等生长发育过程外,还参与调控植物生物和非生物胁迫的响应过程。本文用代表性植物基因组数据,对WRKY的基因演化作了归纳,综述了近二十年来国内外WRKY转录因子的相要研究进展,并介绍了该转录因子在植物生物胁迫和非生物胁迫应答及生长发育过程中的调控作用。

WRKY transcription factors are one of the largest transcriptional regulator families in higher plants. The WRKY proteins possess one or two unique DNA-bind domains with nearly 60 amino acids composed of conserved signature WRKYGQK, which bind specifically to the W-box elements in the promoter of the downstream target genes and thus direct the temporal- and spatial-specific expression of the designated genes. Here, to overview the molecular phylogenetics and gene function of WRKY in higher plants, we performed phylogenetically analysis for complete WRKY families in six representative plant species, and reviewed the research progresses on WRKY in the recent two decades. Our review mainly focuses on the biological functions of WRKY TFs in response to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as plant growth and development, providing a comprehensive summary of the functions of WRKY transcription factor family.