WRKY genes provide novel insights into their role against infection in cultivated peanut ( L.).

As one of the most important and largest transcription factors, WRKY plays a critical role in plant disease resistance. However, little is known regarding the functions of the WRKY family in cultivated peanuts ( L.). In this study, a total of 174 WRKY genes () were identified from the genome of cultivated peanuts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AhWRKY proteins could be divided into four groups, including 35 (20.12%) in group I, 107 (61.49%) in group II, 31 (17.82%) in group III, and 1 (0.57%) in group IV. This division is further supported by the conserved motif compositions and intron/exon structures. All genes were unevenly located on all 20 chromosomes, among which 132 pairs of fragment duplication and seven pairs of tandem duplications existed. Eighteen miRNAs were found to be targeting 50 genes. Most genes from some groups showed tissue-specific expression. , and were upregulated in ganhua18 and kainong313 genotypes after infection. Ten genes (, and ) from group III displayed different expression patterns in sensitive and resistant peanut genotypes infected with the . Two AhWRKY genes ( and ) from group III obtained the LRR domain. downregulated in both genotypes; showed lower-higher expression in ganhua18 and higher expression in kainong313. Both and are targeted by ahy-miR3512, which may have an important function in peanut disease resistance. This study identified candidate genes with possible roles in peanut resistance against infection. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the novel role of family genes but also provide valuable information for disease resistance in .