Identification of the WRKY Gene Family and Characterization of Stress-Responsive Genes in Rodin.

WRKY transcription factors present unusual research value because of their critical roles in plant physiological processes and stress responses. Rodin (TKS) is a perennial herb of dandelion in the Asteraceae family. However, the research on TKS WRKY TFs is limited. In this study, 72 TKS WRKY TFs were identified and named. Further comparison of the core motifs and the structure of the WRKY motif was analyzed. These TFs were divided into three groups through phylogenetic analysis. Genes in the same group of TkWRKY usually exhibit a similar exon-intron structure and motif composition. In addition, virtually all the TKS WRKY genes contained several -elements related to stress response. Expression profiling of the TkWRKY genes was assessed using transcriptome data sets and Real-Time RT-PCR data in tissues during physiological development, under abiotic stress and hormonal treatments. For instance, the , , and genes were significantly upregulated during cold stress, whereas the gene was upregulated under heat-stress conditions. These results could provide a basis for further studies on the function of the TKS WRKY gene family and genetic amelioration of TKS germplasm.