InterPro domain: IPR044810

This entry represents a group of plant WRKY transcription factors. In Arabidopsis, WRKY1 binds to a 5'-CGTTGACCGAG-3' consensus core sequence which contains a W box, a frequently occurring elicitor-responsive cis-acting element [ 1 ]. WRKY33 regulates the antagonistic relationship between defense pathways mediating responses to the bacterial pathogen P. syringae and the necrotrophic pathogen B.cinerea [ 2 ]. It functions as a convergent substrate of CPK5/CPK6 and MPK3/MPK6, which cooperatively regulate camalexin (an antimicrobial compound) biosynthesis via the differential phospho-regulation of WRKY33 activity [ 3 ]. WRKY33 also functions with WRKY25 as positive regulator of salt stress response and abscisic acid (ABA) signalling [ 4 ] and with WRKY25/WRKY26 as positive regulator of plant thermotolerance by partially participating in ethylene-response signal transduction pathway [ 5 ].

1. Characterization of a zinc-dependent transcriptional activator from Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 24, 4624-31
2. Arabidopsis WRKY33 transcription factor is required for resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens. Plant J 48, 592-605
3. Differential Phosphorylation of the Transcription Factor WRKY33 by the Protein Kinases CPK5/CPK6 and MPK3/MPK6 Cooperatively Regulates Camalexin Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 32, 2621-2638
4. Functional characterization of Arabidopsis NaCl-inducible WRKY25 and WRKY33 transcription factors in abiotic stresses. Plant Mol Biol 69, 91-105
5. Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY25, WRKY26, and WRKY33 coordinate induction of plant thermotolerance. Planta 233, 1237-52