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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
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Author Spotlight: Integrating Biochemical Functions of β-Glucanases and Peroxidase Enzymes in Wheat-RWA Interaction
Published on: July 26, 2024
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TaWAK5 perceives OGs to activate drought responses in wheat
Jingyi Wang1, Long Li1, Chaonan Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China.
Journal of Advanced Research
|March 14, 2026
Summary
Wheat
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Plant leaves possess complex drought responses, but the perception mechanisms remain elusive.
- Understanding leaf-level drought perception is crucial for improving crop resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how wheat leaves perceive and respond to water loss.
- To identify key genes and molecular pathways involved in drought stress perception.
Main Methods:
- Quantified detached-leaf water loss rate to isolate perception mechanisms.
- Conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on water loss rate.
- Utilized overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in wheat.
Main Results:
- Identified TaWAK5 (cell wall-associated kinase) as significantly associated with water loss.
- Drought stress degrades pectin into oligo-galacturonides (OGs) that bind and activate TaWAK5.
- TaWAK5 activation leads to stomatal closure via TaSLAC1 phosphorylation.
- A specific SNP in the TaWAK5 promoter influences gene expression and drought response.
Conclusions:
- TaWAK5 perceives oligo-galacturonides (OGs) to trigger drought responses in wheat.
- TaWAK5 represents a potential molecular target for enhancing wheat drought tolerance.
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