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Wang, J.* ; Li, L.* ; Li, C.* ; Reynolds, M.* ; Spannagl, M. ; Schnitzler, J.-P. ; Zhao, Y.* ; Ma, Z.* ; Xu, J.* ; Mao, X.* ; Jing, R.*

TaWAK5 perceives OGs to activate drought responses in wheat.

J. Adv. Res., DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2026.03.018 (2026)
DOI PMC
INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies have elucidated plants' drought response, yet how plant leaves perceive this stress remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to deepen the understanding of how leaves perceive and respond to water loss. METHODS: Detached-leaf water loss rate was detected, which can effectively eliminate the effects of water absorption and water transport. Subsequently, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out on the detached-leaf water loss rate. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the TaWAK5 (cell wall-associated kinase) gene and the detached-leaf water loss rate. The results from the phenotypic analyses of the overexpression lines and CRISPR/Cas9-based gene knockout lines revealed the function of TaWAK5 in the wheat's response to drought stress. Subsequent study exhibited that drought induced the degradation of pectin into oligo-galacturonides (OGs), and OGs have higher affinity with TaWAK5 than pectin. OGs can activate TaWAK5 kinase, leading to stomatal closure. Additionally, TaWAK5 phosphorylates TaSLAC1 (slow anion channel-associated 1), a key component regulating stomatal movement. A single nucleotide polymorphism site SNP-947 (G/A) at 947 bp of the cis-element in the TaWAK5 promoter region is significantly associated with TaWAK5 expression, detached-leaf water loss rate and canopy temperature, and leads to the bZIP transcription factor TaPAN (PERIANTHIA) functioning as a transcriptional activator in haplotype Hap3/4, but not in Hap1/2 of TaWAK5. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that TaWAK5 perceives OGs to activate drought responses in wheat, highlighting a potential target for enhancing the drought tolerance of wheat.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Detached-leaf Water Loss ; Drought ; Ogs ; Wak5 ; Wheat
ISSN (print) / ISBN 2090-1224
e-ISSN 2090-1232
Journal Journal of advanced research : JAR
Publisher Elsevier
Publishing Place Amsterdam [u.a.]
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Research Unit Plant Genome and Systems Biology (PGSB)