Abstract:
The WRKY transcription factor gene family is a class of plant-specific genes that play important regulatory roles in plant secondary metabolism and biotic and abiotic stresses. Through bioinformatic analysis, 60
WRKY genes were identified in the whole genome of
Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl., which were divided into Groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ. Genes in Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅲ were contracted, while segment duplication was the main cause of
CcWRKY gene expansion. The C terminus and N terminus of Group Ⅰ contained a complete WRKY domain and zinc finger motif, however there is loss and variation of the domain and zinc finger motif in members of Group Ⅱ and Group Ⅲ. There were many hormone- and stress-responsive
cis-acting elements on the promoter of
CcWRKYs, such as ABA, MeJA, SA, drought induction, and anaerobic-related stress response. Expression analysis showed that most
CcWRKY genes were highly expressed in various tissues in barren environment (without fertilization), while under suitable environmental (fertilization) conditions, the level of gene expression decreased. This study analyzed the expression patterns of
CcWRKY genes in response to abiotic stress and provided a theoretical basis for the subsequent functional verification of the
C. camphora WRKY gene.