Li Zhihui, Pi Bing, Liu Sisi, Li Yongxin, Cai Neng, Peng Jiqing, Liu Chong, Qiao Zhongquan
Hunan Key Laboratory for Breeding of Clonally Propagated Forest Trees, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yuelushan Laboratory for College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Front Plant Sci. 2025 Aug 14;16:1653750. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1653750. eCollection 2025.
The WRKY transcription factor family, one of the largest gene families in plants, plays crucial roles in regulating growth, stress responses, and environmental adaptation. However, the specific functions and regulatory mechanisms of genes in (honeysuckle) under drought and salt stress remain poorly characterized. In this study we identified 41 genes from the genome. These genes are unevenly distributed across nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved WRKY domain classified the LjWRKYs into Groups I, II, and III. Promoter analysis revealed an abundance of light-responsive elements, hormone-related elements and abiotic stress-related elements within the genes. Analysis of gene duplication events identified 70 gene pairs under strong purifying selection during evolution. Notably, comparisons with revealed 5 genes exhibiting exceptionally strong conservation (Ka/Ks < 0.1), suggesting potential roles as housekeeping genes. Two genes ( and ) were identified as key regulators through correlated expression patterns with stress-responsive physiological biomarkers. This study elucidates key regulatory mechanisms of LjWRKY transcription factors in 's response to drought and salt stress. Our findings provide specific candidate genes for further investigation into functional evolution and offer a molecular basis for developing enhanced drought- and salt-tolerant cultivars.
WRKY转录因子家族是植物中最大的基因家族之一,在调节生长、应激反应和环境适应方面发挥着关键作用。然而,金银花中基因在干旱和盐胁迫下的具体功能和调控机制仍不清楚。在本研究中,我们从金银花基因组中鉴定出41个WRKY基因。这些基因在九条染色体上分布不均。基于保守的WRKY结构域的系统发育分析将LjWRKYs分为I、II和III组。启动子分析显示,LjWRKY基因内富含光响应元件、激素相关元件和非生物胁迫相关元件。对基因复制事件的分析确定了进化过程中70对处于强纯化选择下的基因对。值得注意的是,与其他物种的比较发现有5个基因表现出极强的保守性(Ka/Ks < 0.1),表明它们可能作为管家基因发挥作用。通过与应激反应生理生物标志物的相关表达模式,鉴定出两个LjWRKY基因(LjWRKY1和LjWRKY2)为关键调节因子。本研究阐明了LjWRKY转录因子在金银花对干旱和盐胁迫响应中的关键调控机制。我们的研究结果为进一步研究金银花的功能进化提供了特定的候选基因,并为培育耐旱和耐盐性增强的金银花品种提供了分子基础。