articlePlant Biotechnology JournalJan 12, 2026GOLD OA

WRKY Transcription Factors: Integral Regulators of Defence Responses to Biotic Stress in Crops

Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences · University of South Carolina · +1 more institution

PubMed
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Abstract

Crops are continually challenged by biotic stresses, including fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens and insect pests, which cause substantial yield and quality losses worldwide. WRKY transcription factors constitute a plant-specific and functionally diverse family that is central to immune regulation. Recent advances in genomic resources and multi-omics approaches have accelerated the identification and functional characterisation of WRKYs in crops. This review summarises the structural features and classification of WRKY genes and their genome-wide distribution across crop species. It also synthesises WRKY-centred regulatory modules that mediate resistance to major classes of biotic stress. In antifungal…

Citation impact

8
total citations
FWCI
75.25
Percentile
100%
References
89
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Authors

9

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • WRKY protein domain
  • Biotic stress
  • Transcription factor
  • Oomycete
  • Gene
  • Plant disease resistance
  • Systemic acquired resistance
  • RNA interference
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