Li Yuanyuan, Li Zhiqing, Xu Chenyu, Wang Qiaomei
Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth and Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth and Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
Plant Commun. 2025 Sep 8;6(9):101438. doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101438. Epub 2025 Jul 12.
WRKY transcription factors (TFs) have been widely investigated for their roles in stress responses and plant development. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed that WRKY TFs also exert important functions in the regulation of plant secondary metabolic networks, which are closely associated with crop resistance and quality. In this review, we comprehensively summarize how WRKYs are activated by various developmental and environmental cues to mediate distinct regulatory responses that control the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and glucosinolates. We also examine the multi-layered modulation mediated by WRKYs, focusing on epigenetic regulation and post-translational modifications and highlighting their roles as regulatory hubs in secondary metabolism. Finally, we propose future research directions and discuss potential agricultural applications.
WRKY转录因子（TFs）因其在应激反应和植物发育中的作用而受到广泛研究。然而，最近的研究表明，WRKY转录因子在植物次生代谢网络的调控中也发挥着重要作用，而植物次生代谢网络与作物抗性和品质密切相关。在这篇综述中，我们全面总结了WRKY转录因子如何被各种发育和环境信号激活，以介导不同的调控反应，从而控制黄酮类、类胡萝卜素和芥子油苷等次生代谢产物的生物合成。我们还研究了WRKY转录因子介导的多层次调控，重点关注表观遗传调控和翻译后修饰，并强调它们在次生代谢中作为调控枢纽的作用。最后，我们提出了未来的研究方向，并讨论了潜在的农业应用。
