Journal of Northern Agriculture ›› 2026, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (2): 11-24.doi: 10.12190/j.issn.2096-1197.2026.02.02

• Germplasm resources·Molecular biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Identification and expression analysis of the WRKY gene family in the whole genome of Ricinus communis

ZHANG Chunling1, DI Jianjun2,3,4, HAN Wenyu1, LIU Qingxiu5, WANG Dongyan3, QU Yipeng1, ZHANG Siqin5, HE Zhibiao1,6,7   

  1. 1. Tongliao Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Tongliao 028015, China;
    2. Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Castor Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization/Key Laboratory of Castor Breeding of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Tongliao 028000, China;
    3. Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China;
    4. Inner Mongolia Castor Industrial Engineering Research Center of Universities/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Castor Breeding, Tongliao 028000, China;
    5. Horqin District Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Tongliao City, Tongliao 028000, China;
    6. Tongliao City Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Tongliao 028000, China;
    7. Tongliao Landscape Management Bureau, Tongliao 028000, China
  • Received:2025-05-08 Online:2026-04-20 Published:2026-06-10

Abstract: 【Objective】 To identify the members of WRKY transcription factor family of Ricinus communis,and provide a basis for further studies of the functions,evolution,and molecular breeding of the WRKY gene family members of R. communis. 【Methods】 Bioinformatics approaches were applied to analyze the physicochemical properties,secondary structures,conserved motifs,phylogenetic tree analysis,gene expression differences,and promoter cis-acting elements of proteins of WRKY transcription factor family members of R. communis. 【Results】 A total of 58 genes were identified in the WRKY gene family of R. communis. Analyses of physicochemical properties and secondary structure indicated that most proteins in WRKY transcription factor gene family were basic and hydrophilic proteins,and the secondary structure consists mainly of random coils. Protein conserved motif analysis showed that Motif1 and Motif2 accounted for a relatively high proportion. Phylogenetic tree analysis classified these proteins into nine subfamilies,and most subfamilies contained WRKY proteins of both R. communis and Arabidopsis thaliana. Gene expression difference analysis revealed that most of WRKY genes were expressed at least at one stage during R. communis development. Quantitative real-time analysis results indicated that the expression levels of three genes in leaves were lower than those in flowers and in seeds at 50 d. RcWRKY31 was almost not expressed in leaves,and RcWRKY57 showed relatively low expression in seeds at 25 d. These findings indicated that members of the same gene family exhibit certain differences in expression among R. communis leaves,flowers,and seeds. Promoter analysis showed that the promoter regions of WRKY gene family contain 12 cis-acting elements responsive to both biotic and abiotic stresses. 【Conclusion】 A total of 58 WRKY genes are identified in R. communis. These genes are involved in complex stress response and growth and development regulatory processes,thereby helping R. communis to cope with the adverse effects from environmental stresses and its own growth.

Key words: Ricinus communis, WRKY gene, Transcription factor, Bioinformatics

CLC Number: 

  • S565.6