AUTHOR=Wang Yao , Zhu Ruiyan , Shi Min , Huang Qikai , Zhang Siwei , Kai Guoyin , Guo Shuiliang 

TITLE=Genome-Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of WRKY Transcription Factors Related to Momilactone Biosynthesis in Calohypnum plumiforme

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.809729

DOI=10.3389/fevo.2021.809729

ISSN=2296-701X

ABSTRACT=<p>Momilactones are diterpenoid phytoalexins with allelopathic functions, which have been found in the widely distributed bryophyte <italic>Calohypnum plumiforme</italic>. Clustered genes containing <italic>CpDTC1/HpDTC1</italic>, <italic>CpCYP970A14</italic>, <italic>CpCYP964A1</italic>, and <italic>CpMAS</italic> are involved in momilactone biosynthesis. Besides, momilactone concentration in <italic>C. plumiforme</italic> is affected by heavy metal treatment such as CuCl<sub>2</sub>. However, transcription factors which might regulate momilactone biosynthesis are unclear. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) regulate phytoalexin biosynthesis in many plant species. In this study, a systematic analysis of the WRKY TFs was performed according to the <italic>C. plumiforme</italic> genome. A total of 19 <italic>CpWRKY</italic> genes were identified and categorized into five subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationship. Conserved domain and motif analysis suggested that the WRKY domain was highly conserved, but there were some variations. <italic>Cis</italic>-acting elements and binding sites analysis implied that CpWRKY genes might be induced by stress and further regulate the biosynthesis of momilactones. Our study lays a foundation for further functional characterization of the candidate CpWRKY genes involved in the regulation of momilactone biosynthesis, and provides new strategies for increasing momilactone production.</p>