AaWRKY17, a positive regulator of artemisinin biosynthesis, is involved in resistance to Pseudomonas syringae in Artemisia annua

Abstract

Artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, remains the only plant source for artemisinin production, yet few genes have been identified to be involved in both the response to biotic stresses, such as pathogens, and artemisinin biosynthesis. Here, we isolated and identified the WRKY transcription factor (TF) AaWRKY17, which could significantly increase the artemisinin content and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae in A. annua. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H), dual-luciferase (dual-LUC), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) results showed that AaWRKY17 directly bound to the W-box motifs in the promoter region of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway gene amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) and promoted its expression. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that the transcript levels of two defense marker genes, Pathogenesis-Related 5 (PR5) and NDR1/HIN1-LIKE 10 (NHL10), were greatly increased in AaWRKY17-overexpressing transgenic A. annua plants. Additionally, overexpression of AaWRKY17 in A. annua resulted in decreased susceptibility to P. syringae. These results indicated that AaWRKY17 acted as a positive regulator in response to P. syringae infection. Together, our findings demonstrated that the novel WRKY transcription factor AaWRKY17 could potentially be used in transgenic breeding to improve the content of artemisinin and pathogen tolerance in A. annua.

Functional analysis of Pogostemon cablin farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene and its binding transcription factor PcWRKY44 in regulating biosynthesis of patchouli alcohol

“…Similarly, in A. annua, AaWRKY17 directly bound to the W-box motifs in the promoter region of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway gene amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) and promoted its expression. Overexpression of AaWRKY17 in A. annua decreases its susceptibility to pseudomonas syringae (Chen et al, 2021). In addition, 37 putative WRKY transcription factors with intact WRKY domains were identified in Rehmannia glutinosa, with overexpression of RgWRKY37 increasing the content of acteoside and total phenylethanol glycosides (PhGs) in hairy roots (Wang et al, 2021).…”

BcTFIIIA Negatively Regulates Turnip Mosaic Virus Infection through Interaction with Viral CP and VPg Proteins in Pak Choi (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis)

“…TuMV, one of the most harmful vegetable viruses in the world, belongs to the Potyvirus genus [ 36 ]. The recently identified zinc-finger transcription factors related to plant disease responses include a part of AP2/ERF family proteins that have the zinc-finger domain [ 37 ] and WRKY zinc-finger transcription factor families [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Gene families involved in TuMV resistance, including the TIR-NBS-LRR gene family [ 41 ] and the Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan (FLA) gene family [ 42 ], have also been identified and researched.…”

The transcription factor LaMYC4 from lavender regulates volatile Terpenoid biosynthesis

“…For Pst DC3000, UV, MeJA, salinity (NaCl), cold, and drought treatments, 12 one-year-old potted plants of the same cultivar (for each treatment) were grown in a greenhouse. Pst DC3000 inoculation was performed for 6 h as described previously [ 55 ]. UV treatment lasted 10 minutes a day for 3 days.…”