WRKY50 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

CaWRKY50 (LOC101505353) on chickpea chromosome 5 encodes a WRKY transcription factor with DNA-binding, transcription-regulatory, and protein homodimerization activities, and is localized to the nucleus. The gene is associated with responses to fungi, bacteria, chitin, and salicylate, as well as with abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid, and auxin signaling. It is linked to the positive regulation of leaf senescence, maintenance of root meristem identity, and upregulation of stem cell maintenance. Associations with root development traits, root thickness, callus induction, auxin content, and disease resistance have also been reported. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to systemic acquired resistance, sinapic acid production, and secondary metabolite production, as well as to shoot regeneration and root meristem regulation.