Isolation and molecular characterization of a SoWRKY1 transcription factor from spinach ( Spinacia oleracea )

Abstract

WRKY family proteins are a class of plant-specific transcription factors involved in stress response signal pathways. We isolated SoWRKY from a spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.cv.Hoyo) using a yeast one-hybrid system. GFP-fused SoWRKY1 was located in the nucleus. SoWRKY1 recognized DNA molecules containing the TTGAC(C/T) W-box sequences. In spinach SoWRKY1 transcripts were not induced by ethylene and jasmonic acid (JA), but by wounding or salicylic acid (SA). Over-expression of SoWRKY1 in Arabidopsis thaliana increased PR1, PR2 expression level. These results suggest that SoWRKY1 may be involved in defense signaling pathways.