WRKY55 (TRAESCS1B02G243100) — triticum aestivum

Summary

TRAESCS1B02G243100 (TaWRKY55) on wheat chromosome 1B encodes a WRKY domain-containing transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding and promoter-specific chromatin binding activities. TaWRKY55 is associated with alkali and salt stress tolerance, leaf rust resistance, and defense responses to nematodes and insects. It is linked to positive regulation of salicylic acid-mediated signaling pathway, regulation of defense response to insect, regulation of brassinosteroid mediated signalling, downregulation of gibberellic acid mediated signaling, and downregulation of abscisic acid mediated signaling. The gene product localizes to both the nucleus and mitochondria. TaWRKY55 is also associated with alkali soil sensitivity, salt tolerance, soft rot disease resistance, and pathogen resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the WRKY55 family to rice stem rot and leaf blast disease responses, abscisic acid accumulation, leaf senescence, and grain yield.