WRKY3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsWRKY71 (also known as WRKY3, OsWRKY18, OsWRKY40, OsWRKY60, OsWRKY62, and OsWRKY76) on rice chromosome 2 encodes a WRKY domain-containing protein with DNA-binding transcription factor activity, protein dimerization activity, and promoter-specific chromatin binding. It is associated with drought tolerance, cold tolerance, osmotic stress tolerance, and disease resistance to blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae). The gene has been linked to hormone signaling pathways involving abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and gibberellin, as well as to regulation of anthocyanin metabolism, photosynthesis, and plant organ morphogenesis. Associations with agronomic traits include submergence tolerance, leaf area, stem thickness, and nutrient response. The protein localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplast inner membrane, and magnesium chelatase complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to thermomorphogenesis, phototropism, and defense signaling.