WRKY18 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaWRKY18 (T459_21660) on pepper chromosome 8 encodes a WRKY domain-containing transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription cis-regulatory region binding, and protein dimerization activity. It is associated with magnesium chelatase activity and localizes to the chloroplast inner membrane, magnesium chelatase complex, plastid, and mitochondria. The gene is linked to regulation of photosynthesis light reactions, auxin biosynthesis, gibberellin metabolism, anthocyanin metabolism, thermomorphogenesis, and red/far-red light signaling. Associations include traits such as submergence tolerance, seedling cotyledon size, leaf area, fruit set, peduncle length, heterosis, phosphorus and nitrate uptake, transpiration rate, and responses to water stress, temperature stress, light intensity, insect damage, and wheat powdery mildew. Phenotypic connections include bacterial wilt resistance, salt and osmotic stress tolerance, stomatal immunity, drought tolerance, freezing tolerance, and chloroplast development. Related genes in other species link the family to defense responses, salicylic acid, ethylene, and jasmonate signaling, thermomorphogenesis, and nutrient responses.