Function and application of the WRKY transcription factor superfamilyin plant response to stresses

The WRKY transcription factor (TF) superfamily is one of the largest TF superfamilies and has been found in a variety of plants. WRKY TFs, named for their highly conserved WRKY domain, bind to the W-box in the promoters of target genes to regulate their expression. WRKY TFs have complex regulatory functions and play a key role in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this review, we introduced the characteristics of the molecular structure and binding mechanism of WRKY TFs, analyzed the function and mechanism of WRKY TFs in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses (such as salt stress, drought stress, and oxidative stress), and summarized the research development of WRKY TFs in pasture. Finally, we suggest that the WRKY TFs of wild plants should be further studied, which may provide a new perspective for exploring the regulatory functions of WRKY TFs. This review laid a theoretical foundation and provided ideas for in-depth research on the regulatory mechanisms of WRKY TFs.