Identification of a Pathogen-Induced Glycine max Transcription Factor GmWRKY1

On screening pathogen-resistant soybean, we identified a WRKY type transcription factor named a Glycine max WRKY1 (GmWRKY1). Expression of GmWRKY1 gene was induced in the soybean sprout by Pseudomonas infection. The GmWRKY1 was expressed in all of the tissues with high levels in stems, leaves and developing seeds. The protein GmWRKY1 contains highly conserved two WRKV DNA-binding domains having two C(2)-H(2) zinc-ringer motif (C-X(4-5)-C-X(22-23)-H-X-H) in its N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequences. In electrophoresis mobility shift assay, the GmWRKY1 protein bound specifically to W-box elements in the promoters of defense related genes. These results demonstrated that GmWRKY1 is one of the soybean WRKY family genes and the plant-specific transcription factors for defense processes.