WRKY18 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

T459_10545, also known as WRKY18, WRKY40, or CaWRKY40, encodes a WRKY transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding and transcription cis-regulatory region binding activities. It is associated with magnesium chelatase activity and localizes to the chloroplast inner membrane and magnesium chelatase complex. The gene is linked to the regulation of diverse biological processes including abscisic acid-mediated stomatal movement, thermomorphogenesis, photosynthesis light reactions, anthocyanin metabolism, auxin biosynthesis, gibberellin metabolism, leaf senescence, and responses to red/far-red light. Associations with agronomically important traits include submergence tolerance, water stress response, fruit set, leaf area, seedling growth, heterosis, and resistance to bacterial wilt and powdery mildew. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to defense responses, heat tolerance, and fruit ripening.