GhWRKY25, a group I WRKY gene from cotton, confers differential tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana

Abstract

WRKY transcription factors are involved in various processes, ranging from plant growth to abiotic and biotic stress responses. Group I WRKY members have been rarely reported compared with group II or III members, particularly in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). In this study, a group I WRKY gene, namely, GhWRKY25, was cloned from cotton and characterized. Expression analysis revealed that GhWRKY25 can be induced or deduced by the treatments of abiotic stresses and multiple defense-related signaling molecules. Overexpression of GhWRKY25 in Nicotiana benthamiana reduced plant tolerance to drought stress but enhanced tolerance to salt stress. Moreover, more MDA and ROS accumulated in transgenic plants after drought treatment with lower activities of SOD, POD, and CAT. Our study further demonstrated that GhWRKY25 overexpression in plants enhanced sensitivity to the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea by reducing the expression of SA or ET signaling related genes and inducing the expression of genes involved in the JA signaling pathway. These results indicated that GhWRKY25 plays negative or positive roles in response to abiotic stresses, and the reduced pathogen resistance may be related to the crosstalk of the SA and JA/ET signaling pathways.

Molecular characters and different expression of WRKY1 gene from Gossypium barbadense L. and Gossypium hirsutum L.

“…[12] Some WRKYs have also been previously isolated from cotton (G. hirsutum L.), in which expression of WRKY has been suggested to play a role in regulating the response to fungal pathogens. [24,25] In our study, the GbWRKY1 gene expression might be involved in the resistance to Verticillium wilt. In addition, the difference in the expression of GbWRKY1 and GhWRKY1 after induction by V. dahliae might be due to the difference in the promoter sequence.…”

Genome-Wide Investigation of WRKY Transcription Factors Involved in Terminal Drought Stress Response in Common Bean

“…In monocots and dicots, such as rice, soybean, wheat, and cotton, an especially large number of WRKY proteins have been confirmed to have various functions in recent years (Qiu and Yu, 2009; Luo et al, 2013; Qin et al, 2015; He G.H. et al, 2016; Liu et al, 2016). However, our study is the first to identify and characterize WRKY proteins from whole genome sequences of the common bean.…”

“…Among the TF families in higher plants, WRKY TFs have been found to play important roles under biotic and abiotic stress, especially drought (Ding et al, 2014; Qin et al, 2015; He Y. et al, 2016; Liu et al, 2016; Yue et al, 2016). Using qRT-PCR in the present study, we identified 19 common bean WRKY TFs that were responsive to drought stress.…”

Genome-wide identification of the potato WRKY transcription factor family

“…[53]. Considerable research has been performed on the functions of WRKY TFs, and some WRKY genes have been cloned to analyze their function [54, 55]. However, there is little relevant information from the world’s fourth most-important staple crop, potato.…”

“…Biotic stresses [63] are also of wide concern and salicylic acid, abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate treatments can be used to represent biotic stresses [55]. In this study, salt-, heat-, drought- and SA-response mechanisms were the main research objects.…”