InterPro domain: IPR039834

This entry includes a group of VQ motif-containing proteins from plants, including VQ17 and VQ18 from Arabidopsis. These are negative regulators of plant growth and the defence response. Plants overexpressing the VQ17 or VQ18 genes are stunted [ 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