Identification and Characterization of WRKY Genes in Amaranthus palmeri and Their Response to Abiotic Stress

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Abstract
The WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their roles in Amaranthus palmeri remain unexplored. In this study, 32 ApWRKYs were identified through bioinformatics and gene expression analyses. Subcellular localization predictions placed ApWRKYs in the nucleus, and transient expression assays of ApWRKY2 and ApWRKY5 confirmed nuclear targeting, supporting their role as transcriptional regulators. ApWRKYs are distributed across 15 genomic scaffolds, and phylogenetic analysis grouped them into three subfamilies, with conserved motifs identified within specific clades. Interaction analysis suggested potential post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs. Gene expression profiling of ApWRKYs under glufosinate ammonium, NaCl, and PEG-induced osmotic stress treatments revealed potential distinct regulatory roles. Furthermore, transient overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana found that ApWRKY1, ApWRKY2, and ApWRKY5 potentially regulate chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic efficiency under glufosinate treatment. These findings establish ApWRKYs as central regulators of stress adaptation in A. palmeri, provide novel insights into WRKY-mediated regulation, and lay a foundation for future functional investigations aimed at enhancing stress resilience and herbicide management in horticultural systems.
Funding Information
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2024YFC2607600)
  • Humanities and Social Sciences Research Program funded by Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (25YJAZH180)
  • Natural Science Funds of Hubei Province of China (2024AFB1015)
  • Open Project Program of State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests (SKLOF202313)
  • Open Project Program of Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crop in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture/Hubei Province Key Laboratory for Control of Crop Diseases, Pest and Weeds (2023ZTSJJ2)
  • Open Program of Hubei Key Laboratory of Waterlogging Disaster and Agricultural Use of Wetland (KFG202407)

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