WRKY17 — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsWRKY17, located on chromosome 7 of garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa), encodes a WRKY transcription factor containing a WRKY DNA-binding domain. The protein localises to the nucleus and possesses sequence-specific DNA-binding and transcription factor activity, along with promoter-specific chromatin binding and protein homodimerization activity. LsWRKY17 is associated with responses to multiple hormones, including abscisic acid, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, and salicylate, as well as to chitin, wounding, bacteria, and fungi. It is linked to the positive regulation of leaf senescence, cell wall organization, and the downregulation of abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling. The gene has also been connected to root hair length. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to jasmonate signaling, disease resistance, and pathogen defense responses.