WRKY12 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmWRKY12 (ZM00001EB249120) on maize chromosome 5 encodes a WRKY transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA-binding, promoter-specific chromatin-binding, transcription cis-regulatory region binding, protein homodimerization, DNA binding transcription factor activity, metal binding, ATP binding, and protein binding activities, localizing to the nucleus. The gene is associated with numerous biological processes including seed growth, endosperm cellularization, aerenchyma formation, cellular thermotolerance, regulation of proanthocyanidin and phytoalexin biosynthesis, inorganic anion transport, nicotianamine anabolism, ALA metabolism, response to long-day, indole alkaloid anabolism, regulation of antifungal innate immune response, memory, gibberellin-mediated signalling, abscisic acid mediated signalling involved in stomatal movement, and cytokinin anabolism. It has been linked to traits such as grain yield, drought tolerance, heat tolerance, leaf angle, root volume and length, lignin content, disease tolerance, and responses to submergence, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid. Associations also include cadmium tolerance and accumulation, iron accumulation in seeds, stem stiffness, secondary cell wall formation, flowering time, and hypoxia tolerance. Related genes in other species link the family to defense responses against necrotrophic pathogens, camalexin biosynthesis, and hydrogen peroxide homeostasis.