Abstract
The WRKY proteins are a superfamily of transcription factor that regulate diverse developmental and physiological processes in plants. Completion of the whole-genome sequencing of Aquilaria sinensis allowed us to perform a genome-wide investigation for WRKY proteins. Here, we predicted 70 WRKY genes from the A. sinensis genome and undertaken a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. Due to their diverse structural features, the 70 AsWRKY genes are classified into three main groups (group I–III), with five subgroups (IIa–IIe) in group II, except two belong to none of them. Distinct expression profiles of AsWRKYs with RNA sequencing data revealed their diverse expression patterns among different tissues and in the process of whole-tree-inducing agarwood formation. Based on the expression characteristics, we predict some AsWRKYs are pseudogenes, and some may be involved in the biosynthesis of agarwood sesquiterpenes as activators or repressors. Among the tested genes treated with MeJA and H2O2, most of them are induced by H2O2, but downregulated by MeJA, implying the complexity of their involvement in signal transduction regulation. Our results not only provide a basic platform for functional identification of WRKYs in A. sinensis but important clues for further analysis their regulation role in agarwood formation.
Highlights
The WRKYs is one of the largest superfamily of transcription factors in higher plants[1], which are characterized by their unique WRKYGQK motif at the N-end and the metal chelating zinc finger motif (CX4–5CX22–23HXH or CX7Cx23HXC) at the C-end[2,3]
GaWRKY1 in G. arboretum participates in the biosynthesis of gossypol sesquiterpenes by regulating the activity of (+)-δ-Cadinene synthase (CAD1), and MeJA promoted this process[22]; AaWRKY1, a transcription factor isolated from glandular secretory trichomes in A. annua, binds the W-box of promoter and actives expression of Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), a sesquiterpene cyclase that catalyzes the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial artemisin[23]
70 WRKY transcription factor genes were predicted from A. sinensis genome, and 7 AsWRKY genes that likely regulate agarwood biosynthesis were identified based on their tissue expression patterns and the results of agarwit-treatment and qPCR analyses
Summary
The WRKYs is one of the largest superfamily of transcription factors in higher plants[1], which are characterized by their unique WRKYGQK motif at the N-end and the metal chelating zinc finger motif (CX4–5CX22–23HXH or CX7Cx23HXC) at the C-end[2,3]. To systematically elucidate the regulatory role of WRKY transcription factors in A. sinensis, in this study, a genome-wide analysis of AsWRKYs was performed. 70 WRKY transcription factor genes were predicted from A. sinensis genome, and 7 AsWRKY genes that likely regulate agarwood biosynthesis were identified based on their tissue expression patterns and the results of agarwit-treatment and qPCR analyses.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
