Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
Published on: July 23, 2014
A WRKY Transcription Factor, ZmWRKY82, Conferred Enhanced Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize
Zhiqiang Wu1, Meiyi Liu1, Xiangyu Xing1
1College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
Abstract:
Members of the WRKY transcription factors (TFs) family play crucial roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants, but their roles in response to drought stress in maize (Zea mays L.) have not been fully elucidated. Maize ZmWRKY82, a group IIc WRKY gene, was isolated from maize using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using the UniProt online database, we found that ZmWRKY82 encodes a 222-amino protein with conserved WRKYGKK and C-X4-C-X23-H-X1-H motifs. ZmWRKY82 is strongly induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethephon (ETH) treatments. The ZmWRKY82 protein was located in the cell nucleus. ZmWRKY82 had transcriptional activation capability and was able to bind to the W-box element. ZmWRKY82-overexpressing Arabidopsis and maize exhibited stronger drought resilience, which was associated with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and altered transcription level of drought-related genes. These findings suggest that ZmWRKY82 plays a central role in conferring drought tolerance in maize and may contribute to crop improvement and sustainable agricultural practices.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

