Functional Study of the WRKY Transcription Factor Family PgWRKY064-04 Gene in Panax ginseng

Mengna Liu, En Yu, Tao Liu, Jiaqing Liu, Lihe Hou, Mingzhu Zhao, Meiping Zhang, Yi Wang, Yue Zhang () and Kangyu Wang ()
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Mengna Liu: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
En Yu: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Tao Liu: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Jiaqing Liu: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Lihe Hou: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Mingzhu Zhao: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Meiping Zhang: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yi Wang: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yue Zhang: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Kangyu Wang: College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) is a valuable medicinal plant whose primary active components, known as ginsenosides, play a significant role in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. WRKY transcription factors represent a prominent class of transcription factors in higher plants, fulfilling essential functions in numerous processes such as plant growth and development, reactions to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the control of secondary metabolism. This study is based on the laboratory’s previous bioinformatics analysis of the WRKY gene family in ginseng. After in-depth analysis, the PgWRKY064-04 gene was identified, which is significantly associated with ginsenosides. The physicochemical properties and expression patterns of this gene were analyzed, indicating that its expression in ginseng is temporally and spatially specific. A subcellular localization vector for this gene was constructed, confirming that it functions in the cell nucleus. Subsequently, overexpression vectors and interference vectors for PgWRKY064-04 were constructed, and ginseng adventitious roots were transformed using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, successfully yielding positive materials. Gene expression levels and saponin content in the positive materials were detected, preliminary findings indicate that the expression of the PgWRKY064-04 gene is negatively correlated with the biosynthesis of ginsenosides. This study complements research on the functional roles of WRKY transcription factor family genes in ginseng, paving the way for future efforts to enhance ginsenoside production using modern biotechnological approaches.

Keywords: Panax ginseng; WRKY transcription factor; ginseng ginsenosides; PgWRKY064-04; functional validation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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