WRKY Proteins: Signaling and Regulation of Expression during Abiotic Stress Responses

Figure 1

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway induces the activity of OsWRKY30 during drought stress. Stress signals are sensed via a transmembrane receptor, which with the help of some unknown molecules and adaptor proteins activates the MPK/MAPK pathway. This leads to the phosphorylation and activation of the MPK3. MPK3 phosphorylates the target Ser residue in the SP motif of OsWRKY30 and activates the same. The activated WRKY protein then undergoes a conformational change which favourably allows it to bind to the W-box of its target gene to induce transcription. The protein product encoded by the target gene probably helps the plant system in combating the drought stress.