Ectopic expression of a grapevine transcription factor VvWRKY11 contributes to osmotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Plant WRKY transcriptional factors play an important role in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a WRKY transcription factor was isolated from grapevine. This transcription factor showed 66% and 58% identity at the DNA and amino acid sequence levels, respectively, with Arabidopsis AtWRKY11 genes, and was therefore designated VvWRKY11. Phylogenetic analysis and structure comparison indicated that VvWRKY11 protein belongs to group IIc. The VvWRKY11 protein was shown to be located in the nucleus based on green fluorescent protein analysis. Yeast one-hybrid analysis further indicated that VvWRKY11 protein binds specifically to the W-box element. The expression profile of VvWRKY11 in response to treatment with phytohormone salicylic acid or pathogen Plasmopara viticola is rapid and transient. Transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings overexpressing VvWRKY11 showed higher tolerance to water stress induced by mannitol than wild-type plants. These results clearly demonstrated that the VvWRKY11 gene is involved in the response to dehydration stress. In addition, the role of VvWRKY11 protein in regulating the expression of two stress response genes, AtRD29A and AtRD29B, is also discussed.

Abiotic and Biotic Stress Response Crosstalk in Plants

“…Transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings over-expressing VvWRKY11 have higher tolerance to water stress induced by mannitol than wild-type plants. These www.intechopen.com results demonstrate that the VvWRKY11 gene is involved in the response to dehydration and biotic stress (Liu et al, 2011). Other well known players in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses are members of the WRKY transcription factor family.…”

In silico genome-wide identification and phylogenetic analysis of the WRKY transcription factor family in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

“…The existence of two or more genes located on the same chromosome is considered to be a tandem duplication event, whereas gene duplication among different chromosomes is considered to be a segmental duplication event (Liu et al, 2011). According to Holub (2001), tandem duplications are 200-kb regions of a chromosome that contain two or more genes with high similarity.…”

Response, Tolerance and Adaptation to Abiotic Stress of Olive, Grapevine and Chestnut in the Mediterranean Region: Role of Abscisic Acid, Nitric Oxide and MicroRNAs

“…The transgenic grapevine over-expressing DREB1b has been proved to have a significantly improved resistance to cold stress (Jin et al, 2009). The grapevine WRKY transcription factor has 66% and 58% identity at the DNA and amino acid sequence levels, respectively, with Arabidopsis AtWRKY11 genes, and has been therefore designated VvWRKY11 (Liu et al, 2011). Transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings over expressing VvWRKY11 show higher tolerance to water stress induced by mannitol than wild-type plants.…”