InterPro domain: IPR039832

This entry includes the VQ motif-containing protein 20 (VQ20) from plants. Plants overexpressing the VQ20 gene and infected with pathogens show enhanced symptoms, indicating VQ20 is a negative regulator of plant defence [ 1 ].

In general, Arabidopsis VQPs interacted specifically with the C-terminal WRKY domains of group I and the sole WRKY domains of group IIc WRKY transcription factors [ 2 , 2 ]. Arabidopsis VQPs reported to control stress responses include the calmodulin (CaM)-binding protein CamBP25 and VQ9, which regulate osmotic and salinity tolerance, respectively, the sigma factor binding proteins SIB1 and SIB2, which act as activators of WRKY33 in plant defence, and the negative regulator of the jasmonate defence pathway [ 3 ].

1. Structural and functional analysis of VQ motif-containing proteins in Arabidopsis as interacting proteins of WRKY transcription factors. Plant Physiol. 159, 810-25
2. The VQ Motif-Containing Protein Family of Plant-Specific Transcriptional Regulators. Plant Physiol. 169, 371-8
3. The Arabidopsis thaliana mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 target a subclass of 'VQ-motif'-containing proteins to regulate immune responses. New Phytol. 203, 592-606